Law enforcement agency (LEA) accreditation is a self-initiated process of adopting and maintaining standardized policies and procedures. LEAs operate within a specific set of state- and/or nationally recognized standards that are determined and defined by an accreditation body. To obtain accreditation, an LEA must work with a state or national accreditation body to develop and adopt a specific set of operational standards -the number of standards varies by accreditation entity – and maintain compliance during the accreditation period. Tribal LEAs may seek accreditation through state or national accreditation bodies.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) & COPS Office support agency accreditation and recognize the importance of adhering to the highest standards of police policies and operations. The community benefits when its law enforcement personnel are following standardized policies and procedures that provide efficient, effective, and fair policing. Accreditation of agencies helps to ensure accountability and transparency that can enhance confidence and trust in law enforcement among the communities they serve.