MARTA police force earns accreditation honors

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) has awarded the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Police Department with the gold standard of excellence.

The honor recognizes police agencies that demonstrate a commitment to professional excellence in policy and practice, MARTA officials said in a press release.

The award marks the department's seventh reaccreditation after being initially accredited in 1996.

During the CALEA on-site visit in August, the MARTA Police Department scored 100 percent in complying with and executing the following standards: use of force, training, vehicle pursuits, property and evidence, budget, bias-based profiling and emergency preparedness. This assessment cycle was the second straight time in which the department has achieved a perfect score, MARTA officials said.

As part of the process, evaluators also consult with the department's staff, other MARTA employees, peer agencies, and the agency's stakeholders, which include community and business leaders.