Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comment
April 7, 2003
A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), will arrive on campus April 26 to examine all aspects of the University of Richmond Police Department's policy and procedures, management, operations and support services, Chief Robert C. Dillard said.
Verification by the team that the department meets the commission's standards is part of a voluntary accreditation process that recognizes law enforcement professional excellence, Dillard said.
As part of the on-site assessment, police employees and members of the community are invited to comment at a public information session April 28, 7 p.m., at Jepson Hall, Room 118, on the campus.
Individuals who cannot attend the public information session can submit telephone or written comments to the assessment team. The public may call (804) 287-6806 on April 28 from 1-5 p.m.
Telephone and in-person comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency's ability to comply with CALEA's standards. A copy of the standards is available at the police department office from Lt. Michael Murray at (804) 289-8724.
Written comments should be sent to: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., 10306 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-2201.
The police department must comply with 349 standards to gain accreditation, Dillard said.
The accreditation program manager for the University of Richmond Police Department is Lt. Michael Murray. He said 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 can be witnessed. The assessors are: Chief James R. McKean, team leader, Chief Richard C. Harkness, and Lt. Bruce Longino.
Once the Commission's assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report back to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status, Lt. Murray stated.
Accreditation is for three years, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with CALEA's standards.
The public is invited to write CALEA for more information.