How can we help law enforcement agencies learn? A look at CALEA police accreditation

Abstract

Purpose This study explores the benefits of accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), according to those who are engaged in the practice. Design/methodology/approach The authors collected data through open-ended, semi-structured telephone interviews. The authors analyzed the data using an inductive methodology. Findings The authors found that CALEA police accreditation enhances organizational learning through the development of knowledge brokers, the creation of communities of practice, support for knowledge repositories, support for knowledge managers and greater levels of transparency. Originality/value This qualitative study, which focuses on the perceptions and experiences of those involved in the CALEA process, provides a valuable complement to the quantitative literature on accreditation by shedding light on the organizational learning resulting from accreditation.