Bucks County Sheriff’s Office set to become first CALEA-accredited sheriff’s office in Pennsylvania

DOYLESTOWN, PA – The Bucks County Sheriff’s Office is on the verge of making history, having successfully completed its initial assessment from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). Upon a final vote by the Commission, the office is poised to become the first and only CALEA-accredited sheriff’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of only 14 law enforcement agencies in the entire commonwealth to earn the prestigious “gold standard” credential.

“This achievement is a direct reflection of our team’s dedication to professional excellence, and it’s a tangible promise to the people we serve,” said Sheriff Fred Harran. “For our deputies, this is a proud validation that they are operating at the highest national standard. For the community, CALEA accreditation is an independent, third-party guarantee of our commitment to accountability. It shows that our policies are not just words on a page, but are proven, best-practice procedures that build public trust and ensure our operations are transparent and professional.”

CALEA was created to improve the delivery of public safety services by maintaining a body of professional standards. Its accreditation is a voluntary, multi-year process that requires an agency to demonstrate compliance with hundreds of exacting standards, signifying a deep commitment to excellence and professional best practices.

To earn this status, the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office was required to prove compliance with standards touching every facet of the agency’s operations. CALEA’s independent assessors review and grade the agency on key areas, including:

• Use of Force: Strict standards on de-escalation, the use of reasonable and deadly force, and mandatory, in-depth administrative reviews of every force incident.
• Personnel and Training: Mandates for fair and non-discriminatory recruitment, thorough background investigations, and a robust system for annual in-service training.
• Internal Accountability: A transparent and standardized process for receiving, investigating, and adjudicating all citizen complaints and allegations of employee misconduct.
• Operations and High-Risk Procedures: Proven best-practices for critical functions like vehicle pursuits, property and evidence management, court security, and emergency response.

The only other CALEA-accredited law enforcement agency in Bucks County is the Bensalem Township Police Department, which achieved the recognition while Sheriff Harran served there as Public Safety Director.

A final, formal decision by the CALEA Commission is expected within the coming weeks.