Public input is part of national re-accreditation process
SHOW LOW, Ariz. (February 18, 2015) – Public comments about the Show Low Police Department are invited during an information session on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Show Low City Council Chambers, 181 N. 9th Street. The public meeting is one component of the police department’s re-accreditation process, a highly prized national recognition of public safety professional excellence that the department initially earned in 2012. A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will conduct the March 24 session.
Accreditation is for four years, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with the rigorous standards under which it was initially accredited. In addition, CALEA assessors periodically examine all aspects of the department’s policy and procedures, management, operations and support services. The process verifies that the Show Low Police Department meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards. Community input is a key part of the assessment process.
If for some reason an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, he/she may do so by telephone. The public is invited to call (928) 537-0884 on March 24, 2015, between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Telephonic and in-person comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. A copy of the standards is available for public viewing at the Show Low Police Department by calling Commander Brad Provost at (928) 537-5091, ext. 227.
Written comments about the Show Low Police Department’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are also welcome. Send comments to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc.,13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, VA, 20155.
The CALEA Assessment Manager for the Show Low Police Department is Kimberly Crannis. She has assigned an assessment team composed of public safety practitioners from similar, but out-of-state, agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and visit offices and other locations where compliance can be witnessed. The assessors are Chief Wayne McCoy from Blue Springs, MO and Sergeant Michael Halloran from Loveland, CO.
Once the CALEA assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.
More information about the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. is available at www.calea.org, by writing to the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, VA, 20155, by calling (703) 352-4225 or by email at calea@calea.org.