Accreditation is a program that has long been recognized as a means of maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Accreditation is the certification by an independent reviewing authority that an entity has met specific requirements and adheres to professionally created standards.  Law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania can now attain accredited status through the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.

Accredited law enforcement agencies undergo a process whereby their policies, procedures, equipment and personnel have been brought into and maintained in conformance with the requirements of a professionally-recognized body of performance standards. Some of the benefits that accredited law enforcement agencies receive as a result of their participation in an accreditation process include:

- Stronger, more credible defenses against lawsuits and citizen complaints.

- Significant insurance premium discounts.

- Improvements in the morale and esprit de corps of agency personnel.

- Evidence of a firm commitment to professional law enforcement.

- Improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of operations.

Depending on their status at the inception of the process, law enforcement agencies pursuing accreditation may experience significant improvements in the quality of their policies and procedures in a number of subject areas, including:

-Patrol

-Criminal Investigation

-Evidence Handling

-Inspections

-Use of Force

-Pursuits

-Internal Affairs 

-Communications

-Personnel

-Training