The Howard County Police Department has been nationally recognized for meeting the standards set by the national Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. CALEA’s law enforcement accreditation represents the successful completion of an evaluation and an outside review by a team of independent assessors.

These examiners analyzed all areas of the HCPD, including policies, procedures and operations, as well as input from county residents. The department had to comply with more than 450 standards to maintain accredited status.

The HCPD must submit yearly reports of its continuing compliance with CALEA standards. Formal on-site reviews are conducted by a team of assessors every four years; the Howard County Police Department has been nationally accredited since 1990.