Polk State KCTIPS earns Excellence Award from CALEA

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

The Polk State College Kenneth C. Thompson Institute for Public Safety (KCTIPS) has hit new heights as it recently received the Excellence Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

KCTIPS Director Capt. Shawn Hoobin and Accreditation Manager Lisa Correll traveled to Montgomery, Ala. in late March to receive the distinction. This marks the sixth straight cycle that KCTIPS has received successful CALEA accreditation.

“It’s very prestigious,” Hoobin said. “To get this accreditation, you have to be at the top of your game in all aspects. The work that goes on behind the scenes from the coordinators to the accreditation manager is just phenomenal.”

Regarded as the gold standard in accreditation for law enforcement, CALEA’s accreditation process consists of a detailed, independent assessment to ensure that entities comply with CALEA standards. KCTIPS showed no deficiencies during its review, earning a perfect audit.

“Your agency has clearly demonstrated a commitment to professionalism and CALEA Accreditation has undoubtedly become an institutionalized management model for the organization,” W. Craig Hartley Jr., Executive Director of CALEA, wrote in his award letter to KCTIPS. “As the Gold Standard for Public Safety, CALEA is proud of your agency’s accomplishment and commends you for your leadership.”

According to CALEA, KCTIPS is one of less than 40 training agencies nationwide to earn accreditation. Few, Hoobin noted, earn the Excellence Award.

“There’s a tremendous amount of information you have to provide,” Hoobin added. “You have to know the ins and outs of everything – from risk management to policy. Lisa Correll and our academy coordinators deserve a ton of credit for this accomplishment.”

The mission of KCTIPS is to provide professional training and education programs to law enforcement, corrections, and correctional probation officers. KCTIPS has partnerships with several local agencies as well as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

“I want people to see a top-of-the-line institution that provides excellent customer service and quality training,” Hoobin concluded. “I want us to meet the needs of the agencies we serve and be well respected throughout the community and beyond.”