PHOENIX—The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) Investigations Division has been awarded Advanced Accreditation from the highly-respected Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Known as “the gold standard in public safety,” a CALEA accreditation represents the pinnacle of professional excellence and integrity. MCAO participated in a Gold Standard Assessment for the second time, the first in 2013 and MCAO was also named a CALEA Flagship agency in 2010.

“Earning CALEA accreditation is a testament to the dedication and professionalism our investigators and support staff exhibit each day in service to the residents of Maricopa County,” said County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “We are enormously proud of the success our Investigations Division has demonstrated in meeting and maintaining the rigorous standards set by CALEA.”

In April of this year, two experienced CALEA assessors performed an on-site examination of all aspects of the MCAO’s Investigations Division. The process included an assessment of the Division’s policies, procedures, management and operations. The assessors reviewed files and conducted internal and external interviews to verify compliance with CALEA standards. Through the assessment process, the MCAO Investigations Division demonstrated compliance with all applicable professional standards established by CALEA.

This designation is the fifth time MCAO has achieved the award and the designation will remain in effect for four years, with annual reporting requirements. The Investigations Division was first awarded full CALEA accreditation status in July of 2004 and was the first accredited prosecutor’s office in the United States to be awarded CALEA accreditation, a distinction it maintains to this day.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Investigations Division is comprised of sworn and civilian positions. Through its six bureaus, the Division conducts investigations in support of criminal prosecution, is responsible for victim and witness location, participates in warrant apprehension, handles threat assessments for MCAO, conducts all pre-employment background investigations for MCAO, investigates internal and external complaints against MCAO employees and coordinates investigations for the Check Enforcement program.

CALEA credentialing authority was created in 1979 by a group of major law enforcement organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriff’s Association and the Police Executive Research Forum.

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