South Fulton Today

The Gwinnett County Police Department will be the first agency in Georgia to receive a Tri-Arc Accreditation award.

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) issues the award to agencies that have CALEA accreditation for their law enforcement, public safety communications and public safety training agencies, according to the CALEA website.

During its Fall Virtual Conference on Nov. 18, the commission voted unanimously to credit Gwinnett Police with a high distinction of excellence, according to a press release from Gwinnett County.

‘’Chief McClure is proud to announce that the Gwinnett County Police Department is the first law enforcement agency in Georgia to obtain CALEA Tri Arc status," Gwinnett County Police said in a Nov. 19 tweet. "The Training Academy completed 100% of their other than mandatory standards."

The press release said that department has an additional two accreditations in communications and training, earning it Tri Arc status, a distinction held by only 21 agencies in the U.S. and 27 internationally. The award symbolizes their commitment to maintaining high professional standards, the release said. 

"I am extremely proud that our agency has achieved this rare accreditation, and I believe that this accomplishment goes to the heart of our agency's commitment to providing professional law enforcement services to our community," Chief J.D. McClure said in the release. "Our agency is committed to excellence and upholding our values of integrity, courtesy, pride and professional growth. I would like to thank our accreditation team and all members of the agency for their efforts in achieving this goal."

The Training Academy completed 100% of their other than mandatory standards, the release said.

"The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., is an independent nationally accrediting authority formed in 1979 by four major law enforcement membership associations: the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriff's Association and the Police Executive Research Forum," the release said.

According to the release, the accreditation stays in place for four years with a requirement that the agency submits a yearly report.