For BCA, this is in addition to the accreditation standards that have been in place for many years for the forensic laboratory. 

The accreditation allows us to hold ourselves accountable to a high national standard, showing us where we can improve and what we’re already doing well. 

What does this mean for you? You’ll have peace of mind, knowing that the people who keep you safe and respond to critical incidents in your community are putting in the work to prepare for any emergency and are held to the highest standards. Not only that, but the accreditation will also improve our recruitment and retention of talented job candidates. 

It also means you’ll have another avenue to make sure your voice is heard as the DPS works to keep Minnesotans of all backgrounds safe. Pages on our website will allow you to submit feedback about the State Patrol and BCA to CALEA throughout the accreditation process and beyond.  

“For 30 years the BCA laboratory has demonstrated our commitment to accreditation,” BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said. “Striving to meet and achieve the highest standards is embedded in the BCA’s DNA. This additional accreditation is another mechanism we can put in place as we continue to strive to be the best we can be in our service to Minnesotans.” 

Both agencies launched the CALEA accreditation process this month. The enrollment starts a three-year process, which was funded by the Minnesota Legislature in the spring 2023 session.  

“I am proud that the State Patrol is an agency leading by bringing in proven best-practices and trusted processes to law enforcement in Minnesota through accreditation,” said Col. Matt Langer, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. “While CALEA accreditation is a laborious process, it is the right thing to do and will only make our commitment to excellence as an agency stronger.”  

Once our divisions achieve the accreditation, maintaining that status is an ongoing project and requires constant monitoring and periodic updating of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with internationally accepted law enforcement accreditation standards. Every four years, we will begin the process again, when we’ll be audited and reassessed by CALEA, which ensures we are following the latest best practices. 

The CALEA accreditation programs provide public safety agencies with an opportunity to voluntarily meet an established set of professional standards, which require: 

• Comprehensive and uniform written guides for agency activities that clearly define authority, performance and responsibilities. 
• Reports and analyses to ensure that managers make informed decisions that are based on facts. 
• Ensuring that we are prepared to address natural or man-made critical incidents. 
• Community relationship-building and maintenance of those relationships. 
• Independent review by subject matter experts.  
• Continuous pursuit of excellence through annual reviews and other assessment measures.