Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police
Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program 

ILEAP Infographic on Benefits

PROGRAM:  Accreditation is the ongoing process whereby agencies evaluate policy and procedure against established criteria, and have compliance with those criteria verified by an independent and authoritative body, the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Council. The criteria, or standards, are policy development guidelines that represent a level of quality service delivery. The true indicator of compliance, however, lies with an evaluation by trained, independent professional peers. The establishment of meaningful and professional standards and an evaluation for compliance to those standards are, therefore, the two fundamentals of an accreditation program.  

THE STANDARDS:  The standards are divided into four general subject areas: Administration, Operations, Personnel, and Training. All are mandatory except for those that are “not applicable” by function. The two tiers are not based on size, but on how comprehensive the accreditation.  

  • Tier One has 69 standards;
  • Tier Two has 181 standards.  

DIRECT COSTS:  

2025 Fee Update:

We will be implementing a slight increase in fees, effective Jan. 1, 2025. This adjustment will apply only to agencies beginning the accreditation process in the new year. The new fee structure will be as follows:

Tier I:

  • Initial Start-Up Cost - $1,500
  • Annual Fee Starting in Year 2 - $500

Tier II:

  • Initial Start-Up Cost - $3,000
  • Annual Fee Starting in Year 2 - $1,000

If an agency chooses to upgrade from Tier I to Tier II, the only additional payment required will be the difference between the two initial start-up costs ($1,500), payable in the year the change is made.

Agencies that applied for or received accreditation or reaccreditation before Jan. 1, 2025, will begin paying the new annual fees during the year of their next reaccreditation.

Please note that payment of the accreditation initial start-up cost must be paid at the time of application and prior the process beginning. Once the initial start-up payment is received, both the department and the assessors will work diligently to complete the assessment within one year with up to one (1) six-month extension will be granted. 

Agency on-site assessment expenses will be for lodging and food for the assessors. There are no travel fees, per diems or assessor stipends. The award ceremony will be at a site chosen by the agency.  

PowerDMS mandatory: Agencies must use the PowerDMS software while participating in the ILEAP program. This is a separate cost from the annual ILEAP fee.

ASSESSMENT:  The assessment consists of two to three days of file review prior to arrival, department tours, vehicle inspection, interviews, ride alongs, and an exit interview. Two or more assessors will be assigned and they will work with the Accreditation Manager to have all aspects of the on-site assessment scheduled over a two day time period. There is a two-hour public opinion phone-in session, but no public hearing. The exit interview is conducted at the conclusion of the on-site. The on-site can be accomplished in two days because most of the files will be reviewed off-site prior to the assessors’ arrival.  

COUNCIL REVIEW:  The lead assessor submits an Assessment Report to the ILEAP Committee Chair, who reviews and distributes the report to the Council for its review and action. If granted, accreditation is valid for four (4) years (an annual report is required). 

AWARD CEREMONY:  A member of the ILEAP Council or the ILACP Board of Officers will present the award certificate at a local ceremony hosted by the agency (City Council Meeting, Department Meeting, etc.)  

CONTACT INFORMATION: ILEAP Director, Macomb Police Department Chief Jeff Hamer, 309.333.0684, [email protected]