What Is Accreditation?
Accreditation Programs are an opportunity for police agencies to demonstrate their commitment to excellence and compliance with the highest standards in law enforcement. These standards, developed by Law Enforcement professionals, are designed to help agencies effectively serve their communities and protect individuals’ rights.
Why Seek Accreditation?
Accreditation Programs are an opportunity for police agencies to demonstrate their commitment to excellence and compliance with the highest standards in law enforcement. These standards, developed by Law Enforcement professionals, are designed to help agencies effectively serve their communities and protect individuals’ rights.
Accreditation is a valuable tool for law enforcement agencies seeking to demonstrate their commitment to professional excellence and accountability. The Law Enforcement Accreditation Programs (LEAP) are comprehensive programs that sets the standards for law enforcement. LEAP’s provides state-of-the-art standards, training for accreditation managers and on-site assessors, on-site assessments to help agencies meet and maintain these standards, and more.
By achieving accreditation, agencies can earn credibility and confidence, reduce risk and liability exposure, and show their commitment to their communities and profession. These benefits are particularly important in today’s climate, where law enforcement agencies are under increasing scrutiny and the public demands transparency and accountability. By demonstrating their dedication to meeting the highest standards in the field, accredited agencies can set themselves apart as among the very best in law enforcement.
MLEAP Accreditation
The MLEAP program is managed by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association (MCOPA) in partnership with Dirigo Safety, LLC, and is overseen by a committee of CLEOs and other executive-level sworn members of the MCOPA. This committee reviews agencies’ efforts and awards “accredited” status to those that meet the program’s standards. By participating in MLEAP, agencies can show their dedication to meeting their professional obligations to the citizens of Maine.
There are four levels of MLEAP accreditation, from initial commitment to hands on training and assessment. To start this process we encourage you to reach out to our team using the form below and take a look at the MLEAP Accreditation Application.
MLEAP Level 1
Level One requires officers to review and sign off on policies and directives from the Chief Law Enforcement Officer. Dirigo Safety offers this initial education available electronically.
MLEAP Level 2
Level Two focuses on training individual officers on a range of relevant topics, typically through our online classes. This includes MCJA mandated training and training to ensure comprehension of policies and standards.
MLEAP Level 3
Level Three is classroom-based training on topics like leadership, investigation techniques, and other courses required for specialized assignments and promotions. These courses are taught in-person.
MLEAP Level 4
Level Four training involves hands-on activities such as firearms training, defensive tactics, and recruit classes, in which individuals must show proficiency.
NHLEAP Accreditation
The New Hampshire Law Enforcement Accreditation Programs (NHLEAP) mission is to promote the highest level of law enforcement professionalism and integrity throughout the State of New Hampshire. NHLEAP was created by the Commission with a goal to be affordable and relevant to agencies of all sizes, especially those who might otherwise lack the necessary resources and budgetary funds to pursue accreditation through a national level program.
On July 3rd, 2023, following the Commission’s final review and official adoption of the 114
standards within, New Hampshire joined approximately 36 states that, have a functioning state
law enforcement accreditation program.
Call us today to get started!
How to Get Started with Accreditation
Agencies that are interested in obtaining or starting the accreditation process should contact our Law Enforcement Services Manager using the form below.
MLEAP Testimonials
I am writing this letter in support of Dirigo Safety, LLC in recognition of the excellent training programs they currently provide to law enforcement in the State of Maine, as well as their management of the Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.
Approximately six years ago a committee of Maine law enforcement administrators were assembled to establish a state accreditation program under the auspices of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association. Once the program was established it was slow to develop and we realized we needed someone to manage the program.
In 2020 the association issued an RFP to manage the program from which Dirigo Safety, LLC was selected and awarded the contract. Since the award of the contract in September of 2020 the program has blossomed with eight departments currently accredited and a number of agencies in the final stages of preparation for their assessment.
While Dirigo Safety, LLC works under the guidance of the MLEAP Committee they are the ones who have organized and trained the assessors, interacted with the chief of a department preparing for their assessment, and then coordinated the assessment.
–Executive Director of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, Edward J. Tolan