The NCLEO is the first of the National Law Enforcement Credentialing Board's (NLECB) programs, created to bestow professional recognition on those exceptional law enforcement officers who meet the standards established by the Board. NLECB standards reflect the practice of highly proficient, front-line uniformed officers who interact directly with the public. Credentialing has three phases. In phase I, application/credential review, a detailed application must be completed. The application solicits information on the candidate's law enforcement experience, education, commitment to continual improvement, community service, and a notarized statement to uphold high law enforcement values and ethics; the application includes information that relates to the candidate's professional, education, and community-service activities. In phase II, competency assessment, the candidate provides the names of nine individuals: three supervisors, three community members, and three peers; these persons are sent a confidential reference form to complete. Phase III, the examination, is for candidates who successfully complete phases I and II. In a computerized examination, candidates are queried about their responses to scenarios by means of multiple-choice answers. The exam covers such areas as communications, community policing/interactions, enforcement of the law, investigations, officer safety, responding to calls, traffic safety, and values and ethics. Forms necessary for completing the evaluation process are included.