Chief David Lyons The City of Garden City is pleased to announce the Garden City Police Department recently completed all requirements for its 2009 re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This accomplishment reaffirms the official endorsement and approval of high standards set by CALEA and held by a select few police departments in the state of Georgia.

“Out of all the agencies in Georgia, Garden City is among 21 municipal police departments that made the extra effort to be the best,” said David Lyons, Garden City's Chief of Police. “The accreditation process normally takes three years from the initial application until the final status. I'm pleased to say that we did it in less than two years.”

With more than 450 standards that include training, dismissal, discipline, personnel and every other aspect of police department operations, the CALEA accreditation ensures that a police department in Georgia operates according to the same standards as a police department in California.

The CALEA commission was founded in 1979 by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); National Sheriffs' Association (NSA); and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).

As a result, the mission of CALEA's Accreditation Programs is to improve the delivery of public safety services by maintaining a body of standards, establishing and administering an accreditation process, and recognizing professional excellence.

The recipients will be officially announced November 18-22 at a CALEA conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Chief Lyons reports that on-site assessors have already recommended full re-accreditation for the Garden City Police Department.

Located in the heart of Chatham County, Garden City stands apart as one of the leading municipalities in coastal Georgia.

Featuring a progressive blend of industry and small business, Garden City boasts a rich history, friendly neighborhoods, vibrant economy and quality services for residents.

Originally founded in 1939, Garden City has the distinction of being the second largest municipality in the state of Georgia with no property taxes. Defined by responsive, visionary leadership, Garden City is currently building an innovative mixed-use Town Center near I-16, which will serve as the new home of the municipality's City Hall.

For more information about Garden City, please call 912.966.7777 or visit www.gardencityga.org online.