The Fremont Police Department is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and public trust. Central to this commitment is the Office of Professional Standards and Accountability (OPSA), a unit dedicated to strengthening internal processes, enhancing accountability, and ensuring the Department consistently aligns with best practices in modern policing. OPSA plays a vital role in supporting both departmental operations and community expectations for ethical and effective law enforcement.

Led by Deputy Chief Lance Brede, the Office of Professional Standards and Accountability enhances overall operations, administrative functions, productivity, and accountability within the Department, and oversees these units:

• Internal Affairs
• Media Relations/PIO 
• Public Affairs (Community Engagement)

• Strengthening Internal Operations: OPSA oversees essential administrative processes and ensures departmental systems function efficiently and in alignment with best practices.
• Upholding Professional Standards: The unit monitors compliance with policies, la
• ws, and procedures, while maintaining systems that support fair, consistent, and transparent internal review processes.
• Ensuring Policy and Training Alignment: OPSA collaborates with training and policy units to ensure the Department meets state and federal mandates, protects individual rights, and supports officer readiness.
• Supporting Accreditation and Continuous Improvement: OPSA contributes to documentation, quality control, and compliance efforts that help the Department meet standards required by accreditation bodies and internal strategic plans. FPD’s progress toward high level professional accreditation, such as the Trust Building Campaign and the CALEA accreditation process, is closely tied to rigorous internal documentation, policy management, and quality controls. OPSA plays a vital support role in these areas, ensuring the Department consistently meets national best practice standards and maintains a culture of continuous improvement.

Why It Matters

OPSA’s work helps safeguard the integrity of the Department, enhances officer support, and ensures the Department remains responsive, transparent, and aligned with modern policing standards. Its efforts ultimately contribute to stronger community trust and more effective service delivery.