Accreditation

CALEA

The Dubuque Police Department continues its tradition of professionalism and excellence through its voluntary participation in the accreditation process as administered by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, CALEA.

CALEA Logo

Accreditation Process

The Dubuque Police Department has to comply with 459 standards in order to retain accredited status. Accreditation is an important achievement because it tells the citizens and persons dealing with the police department that it is organized and operating consistent with best practice professional standards.

The Dubuque Police Department was originally accredited in July 1993, for a period of five years.  Subsequent to the initial accreditation, the department has been required to go through a reaccreditation on-site inspection every three years.

In July 1998, the agency received its first reaccreditation award, and in July 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2020 the agency successfully completed the reaccreditation process.

In 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2020 the department was accredited as a "Meritorious Agency".  The Dubuque Police Department is one of the few accredited agencies in Iowa and is Iowa's longest accredited agency.

The accreditation process is under the management of Corporal Chris Gorrell.