On Wednesday, July 31, a three member team from the Commission on Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) completed an on-site assessment of the Cape Coral Police Department.
During their visit, the CFA Panel reviewed the department’s policies and procedures, toured and scrutinized the facility, as well as interviewed department staff about the day to day operations of the agency.
The CFA Panel will be submitting its report based on its visit, to the full commission for the fall meeting in November. While it is not official until the commission votes at that meeting, the Cape Coral Police Department has been made aware that they can anticipate a highly favorable report and recommendation for re-accreditation.
“Each of you needs to take a moment to congratulate yourselves. This process is not 
about written policies and logistics. It is about embracing the intent and ‘walking the talk’. To a person, the three member assessment team complimented you on your professionalism, breadth of knowledge and your commitment to the residents we serve. I want you to know how much I appreciate your efforts in providing a world class level of service to the community,” Cape Coral Police Chief Jay Murphy told the department.
The Cape Coral Police Department has been accredited by CFA since 2004. This will be the agency’s third re-accreditation, having been successfully re-accredited in 2007 and 2010. Agencies must be re-accredited by CFA every three years. According to the CFA’s website, benefits to the community of having an accredited police department include; enhanced understanding by the community of the department’s role in the community and its goals and objectives, commits the department to a wide range of programs that directly benefit the public, as well as a list of other benefits to all involved in the process. To view a complete list of benefits of the accreditation process to the public, click here.
The Cape Coral Police Department is also internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The Cape Coral Police Department became CALEA accredited in 1989. In 2011, the department earned the commission’s ‘Excellence Award’ in recognition of its effective use of accreditation as a model for enhanced public safety service delivery.