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The
purpose of the Public Safety Training Academy Accreditation (PSTAA)
program is to promote superior public safety training academy services
and to recognize professional excellence. This is accomplished by
establishing standards derived from the best practices of professional
public safety training agencies and institutions. A process is
implemented to verify that the standards are met and that public
recognition of professional excellence is provided.
The
PSTAA’s 182 standards were developed through a series of
meetings of law enforcement and public safety trainers and executives.
Many of the proposed training standards and process are similar to the
Law Enforcement and Public Safety Communications Accreditation programs.
There are also a significant number of new and specialized training
related standards.
The
PSTAA program is designed not to conflict with national or state POST
authorities or groups like the International Association of Directors of
Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST). As with other
CALEA programs, the standards, where possible are general and describe
what needs to be done giving the local CEO the most flexibility to
implement the standards.
What is
Accreditation?
The components of an accreditation program include professionals, who
act with discretion, in the public trust, to standards set by experts in
the field. An independent process is designed to implement the
standards, verify compliance and award recognition.
Accreditation is a
coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and
competence. Accredited agencies can take pride in their department,
knowing it represents the very best in public safety training academies.
Determining
Agency Eligibility
Proposed eligibility is
limited to governmental organizations, accredited colleges and
universities, and non-profit organizations that meet one of the
following criteria:
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Are
authorized by appropriate outside authority to provide a
comprehensive basic law enforcement-training program.
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Have
the responsibility for the development and/or delivery of advanced
or in service broad scope public safety training.
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Have
been determined appropriate by CALEA Commissioners.
Generally,
short-term specialty training, whether provided by public or commercial
organizations, would not meet the intent of this program.
Agency
Size
The PSTAA program applies to
all agencies and institutions regardless of size.
There is a provision for
a "unique" agency that because of its mission, size, location,
or other factors may not fit the paradigm.
Agencies that seek
accreditation are required to comply only with those standards that are
specifically applicable to them. Applicable standards are
categorized as mandatory or other-than-mandatory. Agencies must comply
with all applicable mandatory (M) standards and 80% of applicable
other-than-mandatory (O) standards. If an agency cannot comply
with a standard because of legislation, labor agreements, court orders,
or case law, waivers can be sought from the Commission.
The information listed above
is an excerpt from the CALEA website. For more information,
you may click on their link at:
www.calea.org/newweb/training%20Accred/program.htm
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