MERIDIAN, ID — The Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy has received national re-accreditation from the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), marking the second time the academy has earned the designation and once again receiving IADLEST’s Award of Excellence .
The award was presented on Dec. 4 during the quarterly Idaho POST Council Meeting by IADLEST Executive Director Mike Becar. Re-accreditation followed a June 2025 onsite assessment, during which an IADLEST review team spent two days evaluating the academy’s compliance with nationally established standards.
According to the press release, assessors inspected academy facilities, interviewed staff, instructors and students, and observed live training in high-liability areas such as firearms, emergency vehicle operations and defensive tactics. The team determined the academy met all required standards, resulting in full compliance and renewed accreditation .
Idaho POST was first accredited by IADLEST in 2022, when it received the organization’s highest score awarded at that time. The latest review resulted in an even higher score, again qualifying the academy for the Award of Excellence.
Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea said the recognition reflects the quality and consistency of training provided at the academy, noting that relatively few POST academies nationwide achieve IADLEST accreditation. He said the designation signals to Idaho communities that officers are receiving training aligned with the highest national standards.
IADLEST’s Law Enforcement Academy Accreditation Program is a voluntary process designed to evaluate academy operations and promote best practices in law enforcement training. Accreditation includes an independent review of policies, lesson plans, training delivery and record-keeping, with an emphasis on continuous improvement and evidence-based methods.
POST Administrator Brad Johnson said the re-accreditation underscores the academy’s ongoing commitment to professional development and high training standards for Idaho peace officers.
Idaho POST is among a select group of academies nationwide recognized by IADLEST for excellence in public safety education and training.
