programs Criminal Investigation Division

Best Practices Accreditation

In 2011, the Comptroller’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) was the 47th law enforcement entity in the state and the first among state law enforcement agencies to be a “Recognized Agency” under the Texas Police Chiefs Association Foundation (TPCAF) Accreditation Program. CID was also re-recognized in 2015 and 2019 before completing its fourth reaccreditation in September 2023.

To achieve accreditation, trained police chiefs from other areas of the state, along with CID’s Accreditation Program staff, perform an independent facilities review using the 173 Texas Law Enforcement Best Practices. These best practices cover all aspects of law enforcement operations including investigative operations, property and evidence management, protection of citizen rights and use of force. The on-site team of inspectors manually verifies each best practice against CID’s policy manual and proofs of compliance to ensure each applicable best practice is met.

The TPCAF Recognition Committee then reviews results and votes on program compliance. In 2023, the vote was unanimous, and the TPCAF program director awarded this coveted recognition to Chief Jim Harris at TPCAF’s spring 2024 conference.

Initiated in 2006, the TPCAF Best Practices Accreditation Program is a voluntary program for law enforcement agencies. Every four years, the program requires an agency to conduct a critical self-review of its policies, procedures, facilities and operations, and to prepare proofs of compliance for each applicable best practice. Annual reports are submitted for years between formal on-site visits.