Maintaining a High Level of Service and Professional Excellence

The Salem Police Department is recognized as a state accredited public safety agency through the Northwest Accreditation Alliance (NWAA).

The Process

Law enforcement accreditation is an assessment by an independent body which helps ensure an agency follows proven practices in the career field, evidence-based operational procedures, and training recommendations consistent with state standards. The process requires a department to demonstrate to an independent body that the department complies with professional standards through both their policies and practices. An audit of the department with an onsite assessment is completed every three years. 

 The US Attorney General’s Office has designated NWAA as the State of Oregon’s independent body for the purpose of certifying compliance with the US Department of Justice standards of certification on safe policing principles.

The department has maintained a NWAA accreditation status since 2006. Prior to achieving credentialing through NWAA, the department was accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement.

The Most Recent Report

 An agency’s accreditation is a voluntary and ongoing process that the Salem Police Department is committed to maintaining to ensure we are keeping pace with proven and innovative practices. Read the most recent assessment summary and review.

For more information, please call 503-588-6156 or send an email inquiry to police@cityofsalem.net.