The project will support the catawba police departments efforts to become accredited via the north carolina law enforcement accreditation (nclea) program by september 30, 2026

Nclea was developed via the NC sheriffs education and training standards commission and the NC criminal justice education and training standards commission in 2023 to assist small and rural law enforcement agencies across the state cost effectively meet the highest professional standards expected in modern law enforcement agencies related to policies, protocols, operations, equipment, training, and personnel. The department has identified several areas that need to be addressed to meet these standards including needed revisions or implementation of many policies and procedures, improvements to evidence intake, storage, and security protocols, and improved personnel development practices. The requested funding will support the hiring of a qualified accreditation manager on a contractual basis to revise or develop over 100 policies and procedures as well as the acquisition of supplies needed to upgrade the departments evidence storage capacity. The activities and items funded via this project are essential and directly related to the police departments ability to become accredited.