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CALEA To Inspect VPD

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Valdosta-Police-Cars-3 VALDOSTA, GA – A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) will arrive on Sunday, March 30, 2014 to examine all aspects of the Valdosta Police Department’s policies and procedures, management practices, daily operations, and support services.

Verification by the Assessment Team that the Valdosta Police Department meets the Commission’s rigid standards is part of a voluntary process to maintain accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence. The Valdosta Police Department was originally accredited by CALEA in July of 1999.

As part of the on-site assessment, members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session in the City Hall Annex at 300 North Lee Street on Monday, March 31, 2014 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Anyone wishing to make comments regarding the police department’s ability to meet accreditation standards at the public information session is asked to be at City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose room no later than 6:00 p.m.

If for some reason an individual cannot attend the public hearing, but would like to provide comments to the team, the team may be contacted on Monday, March 31, 2014 between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., by dialing 229-293-3095.

Telephone comments and appearances at the public hearing are limited to ten minutes and must address the ability of the Valdosta Police Department to comply with CALEA standards. Information regarding CALEA can be obtained by website www.calea.org.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Valdosta Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for re-accreditation may write to:

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
13575 Heathcote Blvd, Suite 320
Gainesville, VA 20155

The Valdosta Police Department must comply with standards in order to maintain accredited status. The accreditation process facilitates the department by examining all elements and processes of the department and its personnel and making changes as needed to meet the needs of the community. Our examination is verified and formalized by CALEA.

This year, the Valdosta Police Department has the unique opportunity to participate in the CALEA Gold Standard Assessment. This type of assessment focuses on agencies which have had two previous accreditation awards and agencies which have not had compliance issues in recent assessments. The Gold Standard format focuses on processes and outcomes associated with standards specific to agency policies.

The Assessment Team is comprised of law enforcement practitioners from similar but out-of-state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and other places where compliance with CALEA standards can be witnessed. The assessors for Valdosta Police Department on site visit are Team Leader Police Chief Michael Dickey, Fairfield Ohio Police Department and Team Member Captain Sharon Massey, Deer Park Texas Police Department. Once the team has completed its assessment of the Valdosta Police Department, a report will be submitted to the CALEA Commission, which will then decide if the agency shall be re-accredited.

Accreditation is awarded for three years, during which time the Valdosta Police Department must submit annual reports attesting to continued compliance with the standards.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, please write the Commission at:

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
13575 Heathcote Blvd, Suite 320
Gainesville, VA 20155

or visit the website: www.calea.org.

Source: Valdosta Police Department Press Release