PUBLIC NOTICE:  Accreditation Assessment Offers Public Opportunity for Comment

For
Immediate Release: March 19, 2012

(Southlake, Texas)—SOUTHLAKE) – A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will arrive on April 1, 2012 to examine all aspects of the Southlake Department of Public Safety, Police Services Division, to include: policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services.

The purpose of the on-site assessment is to verify Southlake Police Services’ 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 the on-site assessment, employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Monday, April 2, 2012 at 7:00 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, April 2, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at (817) 748-8910.  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 Southlake Police Services’ ability to comply with CALEA Standards.  A copy of the standards manual is available for examination during regular business hours at the Southlake Library Reference Desk.  The phone number to the Library Reference Desk is (817) 748-8247.

Individuals wishing to submit written comments about Southlake Police Services’ ability to comply with the accreditation standards may write to:  Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155.

Southlake Police Services has been accredited since 2000 and must comply with over 400 standards to maintain accredited status. Police Chief Stephen Mylett says, “We hold our officers and our department to the highest standards possible in the law enforcement community.  Maintaining our accreditation with CALEA means that the citizens of Southlake can be proud to have an agency that is committed to excellence, accountability and transparency in every way.”

The assessment team is comprised of law enforcement practitioners from out-of-state agencies of similar size.  While on-site, the assessors will review written material, conduct interviews, tour facilities, observe static displays, ride with officers, and attend patrol briefings.  The 2012 assessment team is comprised of the following two CALEA Assessors:

Thomas Clark                                                  Kristin Rightler

Chief of Police (Retired)                                  Professional Standards Unit Supervisor

Ashland Police Department                            Indian River County Sheriff’s Office

Ashland, Virginia                                              Vero Beach, Florida

After completion of the review of Southlake Police Services, the team will file a report with the Commission.  The Commission will then determine whether Southlake Police will be granted reaccredited status.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., please write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155 or call (800) 368-3757.