On April 20, 2004 Oregon City Police Department became the first law enforcement agency in Clackamas County and the 10th in the State of Oregon to become accredited. Accreditation is awarded by the Oregon Accreditation Alliance and is based on a law enforcement agency adhering to 148 legal, operational, and ethical standards. Accreditation standards give the department a proven management system of written objectives, sound training, and clearly defined lines of authority. Like all organizations, Oregon City Police Department continually looks for ways to upgrade its policies and procedures. No matter how effective daily operations are, there is always room for improvement. In many fields, obtaining organizational accreditation is common practice. Colleges and hospitals, for instance, are accredited or certified by certain professional bodies. Essentially, accreditation is a seal of approval from an independent agency. That doesn't mean organizations without accreditation are sloppy in their business practices but by being accredited, these organizations illustrate the pursuit of excellence in their particular line of work and their willingness to meet and exceed industry standards. Law Enforcement Agencies may voluntarily apply for accreditation. From the perspective of members of the public, accreditation reinforces Oregon City Police Department's devotion to professionalism, and a body of precise and high standards, and ensures Oregon City Police Department uses a consistent and evenhanded approach to applying effective and responsive policies.

For Oregon City Police Department, accreditation enhances the reputation of the police service and helps attract the most qualified and suitable applicants. To other law enforcement agencies and components of the criminal justice system, accreditation improves interactions, and strengthens relationships, and promotes standardization of policies, and increases efficiency in handling joint investigations and referrals. Ultimately, the existence of thorough standards gives the public, police, and elected policy makers a norm against which to evaluate Oregon City Police Department's performance. Even though accreditation has been awarded, the Oregon City Police Department cannot become complacent and let its quality of service and accountability to the community decline. To remain accredited, the Department must be reassessed every three years to ensure continued compliance with all standards. Re-accreditation is not automatic, which means the Department must both prove its adherence to, and build on the effectiveness and efficiency of its operation and management.