Wilmington Police Department becomes first in NC to earn re-accreditation through state program

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Police Department (WPD) has become the first law enforcement agency in North Carolina to achieve re-accredited status through the North Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation (NCLEA) program.

The recognition follows the department’s initial accreditation in 2023, when WPD became one of the first agencies in the state to receive accreditation from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.

The NCLEA program requires participating agencies to meet professional standards covering a wide range of law enforcement operations, including policies and procedures, administration, support services, training, facilities management, safety and records integrity.

According to WPD, the standards are designed to promote professionalism, accountability and the delivery of quality public safety services.

The department says the re-accreditation reflects the dedication of its officers and professional staff to maintaining high standards, adopting modern policing practices and continually improving services to the Wilmington community.

The achievement marks another milestone for WPD as it works to maintain compliance with statewide law enforcement standards.