Monday, March 18, 2024

Accreditation Assessment Offers Public Opportunity for Comment

Southlake, TX – On December 6, 2021, a team of Assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will begin to examine all aspects of the Southlake Police Department, to include:  policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services.

The purpose of the Virtual Site-Based Assessment is to verify the Southlake Police Departments compliance with the Commission’s nationally recognized law enforcement standards.  The accreditation process not only recognizes law enforcement agencies for professional excellence, it also provides the agencies with opportunities for continuous improvement.  Participation in the accreditation process is voluntary.

As part of this remote and virtual assessment, employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Monday, December 6, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, located inside Town Hall at 1400 Main Street, Southlake, Texas 76092.

If individuals are unable to attend the public hearing and wish to provide comments to the assessment team, they may do so by telephone on Monday, December 6, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at (817) 748-8182.  This phone line will be answered by a member of the CALEA assessment team.

Telephone comments and appearances at the public hearing are limited to ten (10) minutes per person and must address the Southlake Police Department’s ability to comply with CALEA Standards.  A copy of the standards is available for examination during regular business hours at the Southlake Police Department, Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm through the Accreditation Manager.  He may be reached by calling (817) 748-8388.

Individuals wishing to submit written comments about the Southlake Police Department’s ability to comply with the accreditation standards may write to:  Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), Box 424064, Washington, DC 20042-4064.

The Southlake Police Department has been accredited since 2000 and must comply with over 400 standards to maintain accredited status.  According to Chief James Brandon “We are excited to take part in this process as it allows us to be transparent to the community we are sworn to serve and continue to find ways to improve our service delivery”.

The assessment team is comprised of law enforcement practitioners from out-of-state agencies of similar size.  During the Virtual Site-Based Assessment, the assessors will, conduct interviews with internal personnel and external community members.  The 2021 assessment team is comprised of the following two CALEA Assessors:

 

Chief Michael West (Retired)                         Captain Kari Williams

Gwinnett County Police Department             Valdosta Police Department

Ormond Beach, Florida                                   Valdosta, Georgia

 

Accreditation is for four years, during which time the agency must submit annual reports and participate in annual remote, web-based assessments to show continued compliance with the standards under which they were initially accredited.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., you may contact the Commission in writing at the address provided herein, call (703) 352-4225, or email calea@calea.org.

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