There are five general phases in the accreditation process. These phases, and how they apply to the Smithfield Police Department, are listed below:

1. APPLICATION: The accreditation process begins when an agency applies to the Commission for applicant status. This process is voluntary, and the application form requires the signature of the agency's chief executive officer. Once CALEA accepts the application and confirms the Department's self-assessment eligibility, the Department and CALEA will sign an accreditation agreement that identifies what is expected from each party. We then complete an Agency Profile Questionnaire, which provides the proper information to facilitate interaction between the Department and CALEA during the course of the accreditation process.

2. SELF-ASSESSMENT: The return of the Agency Profile Questionnaire triggers the delivery of all necessary materials for the Department to use in conducting the self-assessment phase, which allows the Department to conduct a thorough examination to determine whether the Smithfield Police Department complies with all required standards. We must also prepare forms and develop proofs of compliance to satisfy the CALEA standards. These proofs can be in the form of written documentation, written directives, or through direct observation by the reviewing CALEA assessors. There is a public information requirement in this process that allows the citizens of Smithfield to participate in and voice their opinions on their Department's pending accreditation/reaccreditation. Once we believe that we have attained compliance with the standards, we will notify CALEA that we are ready to become a candidate for accreditation/reaccreditation.

3. ON-SITE ASSESSMENT: Once CALEA approves the agency candidate status, they will select a team of assessors and schedule the team to conduct an on-site assessment review of the Smithfield Police Department's policies, procedures, directives, and operations. During this on-site visit, the assessors, as representatives of CALEA, will review and verify that the Department has complied with each, applicable CALEA standard. This review will be accomplished through the use of personnel interviews, panel reviews, ride-alongs with officers, and other methods of evaluation. The assessors will provide feedback to the Department and, later, submit a formal, written report on the on-site activities and findings. If this final report reflects that the Department is in compliance with all standards and the required on-site activities, the Department will be scheduled for a Commission formal review.

4. COMMISSION REVIEW: Upon receipt of the assessors’ final report, CALEA will schedule a hearing at one of its meetings. The agency's Chief Executive Officer, Accreditation Manager, and other Town officials are cordially invited to attend. At this hearing, CALEA will review the assessors’ final report and receive testimony from department personnel, assessors, staff, or others. If satisfied that the Smithfield Police Department has met all of the required standards, CALEA will award the Smithfield Police Department national accreditation status. The entire accreditation process takes approximately 24 to 36 months. Once accredited, the Smithfield Police will retain their accreditation standing for a three-year period.

5. MAINTAINING COMPLIANCE AND REACCREDITATION: To maintain its accredited status, the Smithfield Police must remain in compliance with all applicable standards. We will be required to submit annual reports to CALEA attesting to continued compliance and reporting any changes or difficulties experienced during the year, including steps we took to resolve these difficulties. At the conclusion of the three-year period, CALEA will offer the Smithfield Police Department the opportunity to repeat the process and continue the accredited status into the future.

As explained above, the accreditation/reaccreditation process is a comprehensive procedure, but one that has numerous benefits to both the police department and the community it serves. The citizens of Smithfield have the opportunity to better understand their Department's role, as well as our goals and objectives. In addition, it facilitates a more positive relationship between the police officers and citizens of Smithfield, which leads to better mutual cooperation and understanding. The police department is committed to bringing a more community-based philosophy to Smithfield. In many ways, accreditation is a natural progression to community policing. Community policing is a byproduct of the original vision created by the founding members of CALEA.