In 1976 the Association was directed by the Washington State Legislature to develop standards and goals for Washington State Law Enforcement. The Association has maintained an operational accreditation program since that time.
The current accreditation program was updated in 2007 and is continually updated as needed. The program is overseen by the WASPC Professional Services Committee, Accreditation Commission, and Board of Directors. The membership wanted the program to reflect the highest professional standards of policing yet be financially accessible to any member agency that desired to earn it.