ODNR Law Enforcement Earn Prestigious CALEA Accreditation

Story and photo courtesy of ODNR

COLUMBUS, OH -- The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is pleased to announce that its law enforcement unit has achieved national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), becoming the only state natural resources agency in the nation with CALEA accreditation.

“This confirms what we already know about our Natural Resources and Wildlife officers – they are the best of the best,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Achieving this accreditation shows the public that they are being served by an agency that meets the very highest standards.” 

CALEA is widely considered the gold standard in public safety accreditation. ODNR has worked through the voluntary accreditation process over the last three years.

“At ODNR, our law enforcement has long striven to follow best practices, and the CALEA accreditation shows what we already knew, that we have some of the best officers in the nation,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “I am so proud of the work our officers do every day and the work put into the accreditation process.”

The accreditation applies to Wildlife Officers, Natural Resources Officers, and the department’s Office of Law Enforcement. To maintain CALEA accreditation, ODNR must become recertified through a series of regular assessments and compliance with over 350 standards.

CALEA accreditation promotes an agency’s ability to be more effective, organized, and professional, while reinforcing accountability. This ensures that ODNR law enforcement holds itself to the highest standards as a department.

“CALEA accreditation is the gold standard in law enforcement. It is not easy to achieve, and it is not meant to be. Excellence never is,” said ODNR Office of Law Enforcement Chief Doug Young. “This accreditation reflects the hard work all our officers put in every day to serve the citizens of Ohio and protect our natural resources.” 

CALEA was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement’s major executive associations: 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. The accreditation process has five phases and includes a self-assessment and an onsite assessment by CALEA evaluators.

The assessment model works to ensure agency policies have been implemented to complement CALEA standards, and that the agency is complying with its policies and other requirements associated with the accreditation process.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.

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