Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accrediation is a time-consuming process. It really doen't mean squat accept that the chief gets bragging rights at Chief's conferences. We are in the process right now, and it is a pain in the posterior.
Basically, your department's policies, procedures, standards, equipment and facilities get held up to a "model" perfect police department. If your department can get to and maintain the standard set by the model department, you get accredited by CALEA and get to wear a little pin and put a logo on your patrol cars. There has been some sqwaking that your department gets some lowered insurance rates, but I do not know if that is true. Basically, it is a mangement level prestige issue, and it makes for some good PR.