Millersville, MD (August 21, 2025) –The Anne Arundel County Police Department has been awarded Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA®), marking the tenth consecutive time the agency has earned this prestigious honor. The accreditation is effective as of August 9, 2025, and will remain in effect for four years.
CALEA accreditation is considered the "international gold standard" for public safety agencies worldwide. The process is a rigorous and comprehensive review of an agency's policies, practices, and procedures against a set of internationally accepted standards.
The agency underwent an on-site evaluation by independent assessors with extensive public safety experience. As part of this process, community members were invited to provide feedback to promote public trust and engagement. The assessors also conducted structured interviews with agency personnel and community stakeholders to evaluate the department’s effectiveness and service delivery.
The final decision to grant accreditation was made by a governing body of 21 CALEA Commissioners after a public hearing and thorough review of all submitted documentation.
“This tenth consecutive CALEA accreditation is a reflection of our Police Department’s dedication to the community they serve," said County Executive Steuart Pittman. "It makes clear their commitment to the highest professional standards. I look forward to seeing our police force continue to make great progress in protecting and prioritizing the people of Anne Arundel County.”
"Earning CALEA accreditation for the tenth time is a testament to our department's unwavering commitment to professional excellence and continuous improvement," said Acting Chief of Police William Lowry. "This achievement reflects the hard work of every member of our team and our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and community-focused policing."
CALEA accreditation is a continuous process that ensures an agency remains in compliance with its standards at all times. The Anne Arundel County Police Department is proud to display this "Mark of Professional Excellence," which reinforces the department’s commitment to providing outstanding service to the community members of Anne Arundel County.
