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Surprise Police re-accredited at CALEA 'gold standard'; accreditation manager honored
Summary
Chief Pena told council the Surprise Police Department received reaccreditation at CALEA's highest level and presented certificates; Deborah Stewart was recognized as accreditation manager and Jen Chavez is slated to assume the role following Stewart's retirement.
Surprise Police Chief Bob Pena told the City Council on March 4, 2025, that the Surprise Police Department has been reaccredited at the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) gold standard and presented the official certificates to the council.
"We were reaccredited at the gold standard," Chief Pena said, describing the outside-audit process that reviews departmental policies and procedures against CALEA standards. He said the department attended the CALEA conference in Jacksonville and received formal confirmation in November; the certificates had arrived and were presented at the meeting.
Chief Pena also recognized Deborah Stewart, the department's accreditation manager, who he said was singled out at the same conference for her work. He noted that Jen Chavez, the department's policy analyst, will assume the accreditation manager role after Stewart's retirement. "Deborah Stewart was also recognized as our accreditation manager," Chief Pena said while presenting the award.
Chief Pena described CALEA as law enforcement's premier accreditation organization and said gold-level reaccreditation reflects an outside review of the department's policies and procedures. The presentation was framed as recognition of sustained compliance with the standards rather than a policy action requiring council approval; no vote or directive was recorded.
Council members and the mayor offered congratulations and appreciation for the department's efforts.
