Schererville Police Department earns fifth CALEA accreditation after four-year assessment

Police Chief Peter Sarmas told the Schererville Town Board of Safety on Sept. 4, 2025, that the Schererville Police Department received full designation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies at the 2025 CALEA conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, completing the department—s four-year assessment and marking its fifth accreditation cycle.

CALEA accreditation is a voluntary designation that requires agencies to meet comprehensive, internationally recognized professional standards for policy, management and service delivery, verified by independent assessors. Chief Sarmas said the process requires comprehensive written policies, annual online assessments and a four-year on-site review.

At the Sept. 4 meeting, Chief Sarmas thanked officers, staff, board members and community members who participated in interviews and documentation during the assessment. Corporal Staley, identified by the department as the training coordinator and CALEA manager, accompanied the chief to Little Rock for the final assessment.

"This is the gold standard of policing," Chief Sarmas said, describing accreditation as beneficial for accountability, community relations and operational efficiency.

Board members congratulated the department for the work involved in achieving and maintaining accreditation. Chief Sarmas noted that annual online reviews now replace some former annual on-site visits, with a full on-site review occurring at the four-year mark.

The board did not take formal action on the accreditation item; the discussion was informational and recognized departmental achievement.