Grand Rapids Communications Center Earns CALEA Accreditation

Press release from the City of Grand Rapids:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Communications Center has achieved national recognition. The Commission for the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) voted unanimously on Friday to recognize the Grand Rapids Public Safety Answering Point as an accredited dispatch center. Grand Rapids is currently the only dispatch center in Michigan to earn CALEA accreditation.

The Communications Center, located inside the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD), answers the city’s 911 calls and dispatches for the GRPD and Grand Rapids Fire Department (GRFD). In 2020, the center’s 42 full-time employees answered 130,000 emergency and 140,000 non-emergency calls for service. Communications dispatched over 76,000 incidents for the GRPD and 23,000 incidents for the GRFD.

“This national accreditation proves what I and our officers have always known – that the professionals dispatching us and serving our residents are the best in the business,” said Eric Payne, police chief.

In a world where prompt and accurate communications can mean the difference between life and death, Fire Chief John Lehman echoes Payne’s praise of the Communications Center and those who make it happen.

“Our emergency operators are often unsung being behind the scenes,” said Lehman, “but we couldn’t do our jobs – and keep our firefighters and residents safe – without them.”

The CALEA accreditation aligns with the “Governmental Excellence” and “Safe Community” priorities listed in the City’s strategic plan.

“Earning CALEA national accreditation shows that we are living up to our goals listed in the plan with high performing and knowledgeable professionals offering excellent, equitable and innovative public service,” said Mark Washington, city manager. “I congratulate the team on a remarkable accomplishment and continuing our priority that all people feel safe and are safe at all times throughout our community.”

The Center began the process to achieve accreditation in 2018, shortly after the GRPD earned its own accreditation as a law enforcement agency. The intense process requires agencies to systemically review and internally assess its operations and procedures. The program guides agencies in collecting and analyzing important data to make sound operational and administrative decisions. It also helps create leadership and practitioner accountability.

“This process allowed us to really examine our policies and procedures on quality assurance, interoperability, technology, risk analysis, asset security, resources access, training, and a whole range of other operational functions,” said Reed Wakeman, communications manager.

Due to COVID-19, the CALEA assessors visited the Communications Center virtually in December and noted, “Grand Rapids Communications Division is committed to providing quality service to the community. The management staff recognizes industry standard challenges and is committed to improving their operations.”

CLICK HERE to learn more about the CALEA Communications Accreditation program.

This press release was produced by the City of Grand Rapids. The views expressed are the author's own.