What is Accreditation and why is it important to our department and our city?

Following the edict of his predecessors, Chief Greg Goreck wanted to ensure that the residents of Haines City continue to receive the most from their Police Department. He continues to adhere to the standards required for his agency to retain its national accreditation. Accreditation is a vital part of Chief Goreck's vision to maintain a community-minded department that demographically mirrors the residents it serves. 

What is the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)?

The purpose of the CALEA Accreditation Program is to improve the delivery of public safety services to each agency local residence and to the general public, primarily by: maintaining a body of standards, developed by public safety practitioners, covering a wide range of up to date public safety initiatives; establishing and administering an accreditation process; and recognizing agencies professionalism and performance of excellence in adhering to these international standards.

The Haines City Police Department reviews a total of 459 CALEA International Professional Standards in order to remain in compliance with the CALEA Accreditation Program. As of the 2021 cycle, fewer than 750 law enforcement entities nationally and less than 50 in Florida had earned that distinction.

Accreditation Manager

Tyrone Wilson is the Accreditation Manager and oversees department compliance with CALEA Standards. Wilson has been a member of the Haines City Police Department since April 2014, first serving as a Records Clerk before being asked to assume the duties of Accreditation Manager.

Wilson is a 24-year military veteran, holds an associate’s degree from Excelsior College and a bachelor’s degree in information technology from Kaplan University. He began his military career in the U.S. Marine Corps where he spent 12 years. He then completed 12 more years of service in the Active Guard Reserve (U.S. Army).

In the Marine Corps, Wilson ascended from the rank of Private (E1) to Sergeant (E5), holding various jobs such as a Heavy Equipment Operator and Federal Journeyman Electrician. He held additional duty assignments as Platoon Sergeant and Floor Chief of an Engineering Maintenance Shop. During his tenure in the U.S. Army, he served in the rank of Sergeant (E5) to Master Sergeant (E8), holding the job of Military Intelligence Analyst, with additional duties as Army Recruiter; Acting Company First Sergeant, and Senior Intelligence Non-Commissioned Officer of units that contained various Intelligence specialized personnel, and as an Operations Sergeant for an Entire Company.

While in the Army, Wilson received training in various specialties including: Information Technology, Security, Accreditation, Supervision, Leadership, and Management, which would later prove valuable in his role as Accreditation Manager.

Contact Tyrone Wilson

Accreditation Process

The Haines City Police Department earned CALEA accreditation on March 22, 2014. On March 22, 2017, the department earned re-accreditation and its first consecutive accreditation award. In October 2020, the department once again submitted to an exhaustive review and earned re-accreditation on March 25, 2021.

The accreditation process consists of a detailed, independent assessment by a team of two CALEA accreditation experts. The department is responsible for providing documented proof of compliance for a total 363 Accreditation Standards every year in order to remain in compliance with the Accreditation Authority. 

In addition to compliance with the standards, the accessors communicate individually with members of the department, city administration and members of the public. The assessors then compile a comprehensive report to document their findings and submit their recommendation to either deny or re-certify the department to the CALEA Board of Commissioners.

CALEA Accreditation succeeds through:

Agency Leadership:

• Serves as a resource management tool
• Establishes trusted processes and best practices
• Provides a planning framework
•  Encourages organizational growth and improvement

Agency Personnel:

• Ensures contemporary equipment and training
• Promotes sound operational decisions
• Establishes supportive personnel practices

The Community:

• Fosters increased community advocacy and awareness
• Creates organizational transparency
• Promotes open dialogue and information-sharing

More information about CALEA:

Overview of the International Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), this is the Credentialing Authority with whom we are currently accredited through.

CALEA was created in 1979 as a Credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement’s major executive associations:

• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP);
• National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE);
• National Sheriff’s Association (NSA); and the
• Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)

CALEA Accreditation Public Comment Portal

The Haines City Police Department's continuous Accreditation Award dates:

• March 22, 2014 (CALEA)
• March 22, 2017 (CALEA)
• March 25, 2021 (CALEA)