KLEAP Logo in rock monument with Kansas background.

Building Excellence Through Accreditation

Established in October 2021 the Kansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (KLEAP) supports agencies across the state in their pursuit of professional excellence through standards-based accreditation, training, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

About KLEAP

Accreditation is more than a certificate or designation. It is an ongoing commitment to professional excellence, continuous improvement, risk reduction, and quality service to the communities Kansas law enforcement agencies serve.

Our Mission

To promote professionalism, accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement within Kansas law enforcement through a voluntary accreditation process based upon recognized best practices and proven operational standards.

Our Vision

To establish accreditation as the benchmark for organizational excellence among Kansas law enforcement agencies and to support agencies in building stronger organizations, safer communities, and a brighter future for Kansas.

What Is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a comprehensive process through which an agency evaluates its policies, procedures, operations, training programs, and organizational practices against established professional standards.

The accreditation process encourages agencies to:

  • Strengthen policy development and management
  • Improve operational efficiency
  • Enhance officer and public safety
  • Reduce organizational risk
  • Promote accountability and transparency
  • Foster public trust and confidence
  • Create a culture of continuous improvement

Accreditation is not a destination. It is a commitment to organizational excellence that continues long after an agency achieves accredited status.

Why KLEAP Was Created

In 2021, the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center received funding from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) to establish a statewide accreditation program for Kansas law enforcement agencies. At that time, Kansas was one of only a limited number of states that did not have a state-level law enforcement accreditation program. KLEAP was developed to provide Kansas agencies with an affordable, practical, and professionally recognized pathway to accreditation while remaining responsive to the unique needs of Kansas law enforcement.

How KLEAP Works

The KLEAP accreditation process utilizes a collaborative approach involving:

  • Agency self-assessment
  • Accreditation management training
  • Policy and compliance review
  • Mock assessments
  • On-site assessments
  • Council review and accreditation decisions
  • Ongoing annual compliance reporting
  • Reaccreditation every four years

KLEAP provides participating agencies with training, guidance, resources, mentoring, and professional support throughout the accreditation journey.

Kansas Accreditation Council

The Kansas Accreditation Council (KAC) serves as the governing body of KLEAP and is responsible for maintaining accreditation standards, reviewing assessment results, granting accreditation status, and providing strategic leadership for the program. The Council is composed of law enforcement executives representing agencies of varying sizes and disciplines from across the State of Kansas. 

Learn more about the Kansas Accreditation Council on the KAC Members page.

KLEAP Today

Since accepting its first accreditation applications in 2022, KLEAP has grown into a statewide program supporting agencies of varying sizes throughout Kansas. Accredited agencies demonstrate a commitment to professional service, accountability, and continuous improvement while helping shape the future of Kansas law enforcement. 

Whether your agency is just beginning its accreditation journey or pursuing reaccreditation, KLEAP provides the tools, training, and support necessary to build and sustain organizational excellence.

KLEAP History

July 2021, the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) applied for and was awarded a grant through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) with the goal of establishing a voluntary state level accreditation program for law enforcement agencies in Kansas. KLETC serves as the facilitator and is uniquely positioned to meet the deliverables because it is not a law enforcement agency thus avoiding any possible conflicts of interest.  At the time of application, Kansas was one of only 14 states that did not have a state-level law enforcement accreditation program.

October 2021, KLETC was notified they had been awarded a two-year grant to establish a state-level law enforcement accreditation program. KLETC hired a Program Manager, Suellyn Hooper who drafted Bylaws for the establishment of the Kansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program’s managing and guiding body, the Kansas Accreditation Council (KAC).

KLETC contacted the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police (KACP) and the Kansas Sheriff’s Association (KSA) requesting each organization appoint three Law Enforcement Executive Officers to sit on the Council as Board Members. KLETC requested agencies of all sizes and geographic representation be considered upon selection for appointment to the Council. One additional appointment of a chief executive officer from a law enforcement agency not led by a Sheriff or municipal Chief of Police was made by Vice Provost and Associate Dean, Director of Police Training, Darin Beck. The remaining two members, permanent appointments to the KAC, will be KLETC staff to assist in facilitating the program. These two council members will be non-voting members and will not be eligible to hold the seats of Chair or Vice Chair.

February 2022, the Kansas Accreditation Council was established. 

Founding Council Members

Chief Buck Buchanan – Chair
Andover Police Department
KACP Appointment       

Sheriff David A. Falletti – Vice Chair
Cowley County Sheriff's Office
KSA Appointment

Chief Ashley Garza                                                  
WaKeeney Police Department                                   
KACP Appointment                                                    

Ron Gould 
KLETC Deputy Executive Directive
KLETC Staff Appointment

Chief Stuart Hite
University Police Pittsburg State University
Member At Large

Suellyn Hooper
KLEAP Director
KLETC Staff Appointment

Sheriff Daniel E. Jackson Jr.
Geary County Sheriff's Department
KSA Appointment

Sheriff Jeffrey O. Richards
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
KSA Appointment

Chief Robert Spinks                                                
Parsons Police Department                                      
KACP Appointment                                                    

The Kansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program accepted its first applications for state accreditation in August 2022 as Beta Test Agencies. Those agencies include:

Cowley County Sheriff's Office - Sheriff David A Falletti
Franklin County Sheriff's Office - Sheriff Jeffrey Richards
Goodland Police Department - Chief Frank Hayes
Haskell County Sheriff's Office - Sheriff Troy Briggs
Hill City Police Department - Chief Christopher Smee
Hutchinson Police Department - Chief Jeffrey Hooper
Lawrence Police Department - Chief Rich Lockhart
Scott City Police Department - Chief David Post
St. Marys Police Department - Chief Derek Cid