August 28, 2024

The Garden Grove Police Department is proud to announce that it has been awarded its 11th consecutive national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CALEA’s primary purpose is to improve the delivery of public safety services by maintaining a comprehensive body of law enforcement standards, establishing and administering an accreditation process, and recognizing professional excellence.

In 1988, the Garden Grove Police Department became the first CALEA-accredited agency in California. The accreditation process involves a rigorous self-assessment and review by independent assessors. It evaluates agencies’ policies and procedures, training, operations, and community engagement. This thorough process includes an on-site review by CALEA, focusing on facility inspections, staff interviews, and gathering public input.

Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra stated, “Certification from CALEA is the gold standard for law enforcement. The CALEA accreditation process is another tool to ensure the Garden Grove Police Department uses the most effective, efficient, and current procedures to serve our community.”

As part of this process, agency employees, community members, and the public are invited to provide feedback about their interactions with the Garden Grove Police Department through the CALEA Public Comment portal. This public portal is designed to receive comments on the department's compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall eligibility for accredited status. These comments can be commendations or concerns. The Garden Grove Police Department is committed to using this feedback to continually enhance services and ensure the safety and well-being of the community. Your voice matters.

For any questions about our agency, standards, or the process, please contact Lieutenant Royce Wimmer, Accreditation Manager, at (714) 741-5786. To access the Public Comment portal, please visit https://cimrs2.calea.org/982.