Cambridge Police Earns “Gold Standard” in Law Enforcement Excellence

A commitment to accountability and transparency are among the core values that just earned the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) one of the most prestigious honors in policing—Advanced Level Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA®).

Why This Matters

CALEA Accreditation isn’t just a plaque on the wall—it’s the gold standard in law enforcement. Out of roughly 18,000 police agencies in the U.S., just 1 in 18 hold any level of CALEA accreditation, and even fewer achieve the advanced level. Cambridge now joins that elite advanced level group, becoming the largest municipal police department in Massachusetts to earn this distinction and one of only four municipal departments statewide to do so.

The Road to Accreditation

Achieving Advanced Accreditation is no small feat. It requires meeting 463 rigorous standards covering everything from policies and training to community engagement and accountability. For CPD, that meant reworking 86 internal policies and undergoing a multi-step process that included self-assessment, external evaluations, and on-the-ground reviews by CALEA assessors.
Before granting accreditation, CALEA representatives spent time in Cambridge—speaking with community stakeholders, reviewing department operations, and ensuring compliance with best practices. Their verdict? CPD not only met the standards, but exceeded expectations.

“This achievement reflects our commitment to being a top-tier law enforcement agency,” said Police Commissioner Christine Elow. “Cambridge residents expect the best, and this accreditation shows we’re delivering on that promise.”

What’s Next?

Accreditation isn’t the finish line—it’s a foundation. CPD will continue to review and refine its practices to maintain compliance and stay ahead of evolving standards. For residents, that means a police department that is transparent, accountable, and committed to continuous improvement. Cambridge now stands alongside major agencies like Providence Police, Vermont State Police, and Connecticut State Police as a regional leader in law enforcement excellence. And for the community, that’s more than an accolade—it’s peace of mind.