The Cartersville Police Department has earned national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) for the first time in its history—an honor held by only about 4% of U.S. law enforcement agencies. The accreditation, presented on November 15, 2025, recognizes the department’s adherence to more than 180 industry best-practice standards in professionalism, transparency, and accountability. Achieving accreditation required a three-year process involving self-assessment, reviews by independent evaluators, and a public hearing. The process concluded with a public hearing and a review of all reporting documentation by a governing body of twenty-one commissioners.
The department will undergo annual reviews and must reapply every four years. Despite challenges such as population growth, recruitment difficulties, and more critical incidents, the department credits its success to dedicated personnel and strong community support and pledges to continue improving its policies and services.
The accreditation was formally presented to Chief McCann and members of his command staff at the annual CALEA Conference in Jacksonville on November 15, 2025.
Press Release