PUBLIC NOTICE: CALEA Accreditation On-site

Accreditation Assessment Offers Public Opportunity for Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 1, 2014

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will arrive on December 14, 2014 to examine all aspects of the Southlake Police Department, to include:  policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services.

The purpose of the on-site 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 the on-site assessment, employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Monday, December 15, 2014 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, December 15, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at (817) 748-8984.  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 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 the Southlake Police Department’s 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.

The Southlake Police Department has been accredited since 2000 and must comply with over 400 standards to maintain accredited status.  According to Chief Steve Mylett “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.  While on-site, the assessors will review written material, conduct interviews, tour facilities, observe static displays, ride with officers, and attend patrol briefings.  The 2014 assessment team is comprised of the following two CALEA Assessors:

Gregg Jones                                                                Thomas Wilkes

Commander                                                                Lieutenant

Lexington Division of Police                                   Aurora Police Department

Lexington, Kentucky                                                 Aurora, Colorado

After completion of the review of the Southlake Police Department, 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 (703) 352-4225.