The Valparaiso Police Department has recently completed its annual assessment for accreditation by the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and is on track for receiving its fifth award of accreditation in 2024. “We congratulate the VPD on their accomplishment and on holding themselves to the very highest standards,” said Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy. “The VPD is one of just 14 departments in Indiana and 105 nationwide to earn this gold standard for municipal policing accreditation. The Valparaiso community is certainly safer due to the VPD’s excellence.”
The recent annual assessment reviewed nearly 70 standards and included in-depth interviews, finding the VPD well prepared and in compliance in all selected areas. The VPD was also commended for overall organization of materials and professional approach to accreditation. “As a department, we work well together and appreciate the support of an administration that makes public safety a top priority,” said Valparaiso Police Chief Andrew McIntyre.
Beyond the CALEA accreditation, the VPD distinguishes itself in other ways as well, including being the first police department in Porter County to create the position of Social Worker. The social worker is instrumental in situations related to mental health, substance dependencies and other challenges. “At the VPD, we put an emphasis on community policing, continuing programs like our Citizens Police Academy, Junior Police Academy, National Night Out and Coffee with a Cop. Further, our trained School Resource Officers make our schools safer as they make our officers more approachable, and our emphasis on mental health – for our community and for our team – also distinguish our department,” he said.
