The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) earned two prestigious reaccreditations by international organizations in July 2021.
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
The CBI earned its third accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) during the organizati7on's virtual summer conference held in late July. Preparation for the CALEA assessment of CBI practices, policies and procedures took place for four years leading up to a comprehensive virtual visit to CBI offices by CALEA assessors in March 2021, culminating with the presentation of the accreditation designation at the CALEA conference on July 15, 2021.
CALEA is a nonprofit organization that accredits law enforcement agencies internationally. Standards are developed to help law enforcement agencies achieve the following: increase agency capabilities to prevent and control crime, enhance agency effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of law enforcement services, improve cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies and other components of the criminal justice system, increase citizen and staff confidence in the goals, objectives, policies and practices of the agency.
The CBI earned its first CALEA accreditation in July 2013.
ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 & FBI Quality Assurance Standards (QAS)
The CBI Forensic Services Section was successfully reviewed for compliance with ISO 17025:2017 standards to not only maintain its accreditation under the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) but also to expand the accreditation scope to cover distance determination in our firearms units. Additionally, the assessment also evaluated compliance with all FBI-Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) required for DNA case working and DNA database labs.
An 8-member assessment team of scientists from across the country virtually reviewed the CBI’s four laboratories the week of April 5th. The team analyzed the last two years of Forensic Services casework and instrument support documentation in conjunction with operating procedures and training manuals of new scientists to ensure compliance with national and international industry standards.
The ANSI National Accreditation Board released its final report involving the CBI’s Forensic Services review in July 2021.
Forensic Services has been accredited under ISO 17025 standards since 2015.
“Although each accreditation process has unique elements, they both show the CBI’s dedication to providing work of the highest quality and integrity for the entire public safety community,” said CBI Director John Camper.