Accreditation programs provide public safety agencies with an opportunity to voluntarily participate in a program that establishes a set of professional standards the department has to meet. These standards require comprehensive written directives that clearly define roles and responsibilities, completed reports and analyses to make fact-based and informed decisions, preparedness to address natural disasters, and more. There is an independent review conducted by subject matter experts outside of the department that decide whether or not the department meets these standards or need more support. Pursuing accreditation shows a continuous pursuit of excellence by the department through the required annual reviews and other assessment measures. 

The Hermosa Beach Police Department received its first accreditation award in November 2010 through CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) for its Law Enforcement standards . After successfully showing compliance with applicable standards from the CALEA Tier 1 Law Enforcement Accreditation program, the Department earned reaccreditation awards in 2013, 2016, 2020, and most recently in 2024. In 2025, the Department decided to transition to another accreditation program that is tailored towards California agencies. 

In 2026, the Hermosa Beach Police Department was selected to be part of the first cohort for the California Accreditation for Public Safety Program (CAPS). The Department continues to look for ways to reflect their dedication to transparency and accountability with its community and CAPS is the next step in the accreditation journey to ensure everyone is aligned with California state laws, POST regulations, and current legislation. The Hermosa Beach Police Department will be undergoing this accreditation process in the following two years to earn CAPS accreditation. To learn more about the program, click here.