Bloomington, Indiana – Bloomington’s police department has joined a relatively small national circle for a third time. Out of roughly 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the United States, only about 5% hold accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
The recognition is not based on a single inspection or moment of strong performance. It reflects years of policy reviews, interviews, public feedback and detailed examination of how the department operates.
The Bloomington Police Department received full Tier 1 CALEA reaccreditation on July 25, 2026. The status, which will remain in effect for four years, marks the department’s third consecutive accreditation cycle. BPD first earned full Tier 1 accreditation in July 2018.
CALEA accreditation is widely regarded as the gold standard for law enforcement agencies and is built around principles that include professional accountability and community-oriented policing.
To qualify, BPD had to demonstrate compliance with more than 180 internationally accepted public safety standards. Those standards are reviewed each year by public safety professionals and subject matter experts to keep them aligned with modern policing practices.
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Independent assessors examined department policies, procedures, documentation and daily practices. They also gathered public feedback and conducted structured interviews with police personnel and community stakeholders. The goal was to evaluate both the department’s effectiveness and its ability to deliver services to Bloomington residents.
After the assessment, a final report was submitted to a governing body of 21 CALEA commissioners. The commissioners reviewed the department’s case during a public hearing in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 24 before voting the following day to grant full Tier 1 accreditation.
“The Bloomington Police Department is dedicated to providing competent and professional policing services to everyone in the Bloomington community,” Chief Michael Diekhoff said.
“Our accreditation through CALEA ensures that we remain at the forefront of modern policing and utilize the very best policies and procedures to protect those we serve.”
Mayor Kerry Thomson said earning the recognition for a third consecutive cycle shows a sustained commitment to nationally recognized standards and continued improvement.
“This reaccreditation demonstrates that the Department continues to meet rigorous, nationally recognized standards while continually looking for ways to learn, grow, and improve,” Thomson said.
The new four-year accreditation period gives BPD continued access to the privileges associated with CALEA status. More importantly, it confirms that the department’s policies and service practices have again passed an extensive independent review.
