Bellevue is one of just a few cities across the country where every major operating department has earned accreditation from a respected evaluating agency.
Finance & Asset Management
Bellevue's Finance & Asset Management Department annually receives a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association. Finance & Asset Management has also received the certificate of excellence in performance management from the International City/County Management Association for the city’s use and reportage of performance data.
Fire
The Fire Department is accredited by the Center for Public Safety Excellence. With a Class 2 rating from the Washington State Survey and Rating Bureau, the department is in the top 1 percent of departments in the U.S. and among the top three in state.
Parks & Community Services
The Parks & Community Services Department is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. For accreditation, agencies submit self-assessments and receive on-site visitations from CAPRA evaluators. In the years between accreditation, agencies must submit annual reports that detail their continued compliance with accreditation standards.
Police
The Police Department is accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies. The department has to perform a rigorous self-assessment and undergo an on-site assessment by CALEA evaluators, who determine an agency's compliance with standards, view agency operations and conduct a public information session with residents.
Transportation
The Transportation Department is accredited by the American Public Works Association, demonstrating compliance with industry best practices as set forth in the Public Works Management Practices Manual.
Utilities
The Utilities Department is also accredited by the APWA. In addition, the department has been a member of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies since 2001.