Phoenix Police Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comment

Phoenix Public Safety Manager Jack Harris announced today that from Aug. 17 through 21, 2008, a team of assessors from the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA) will be in Phoenix to examine all aspects of the Phoenix Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services. The department was first accredited in November 1986 and reaccredited in 1991, 1996, 1999, 2002, and 2005. This will be the department’s sixth reaccreditation.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments to the assessors at a public information session beginning at 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18. This session will take place at the Phoenix City Council Chambers at 200 W. Jefferson St.

Individuals who are unable to attend the public session are encouraged to call the CALEA assessors at 602-495-5186 between the hours of 1 and 3 p.m. on Aug. 18, or write to CALEA at 10302 Eaton Pl., Ste. 100, Fairfax, VA 22030-2215.

Telephone comments, as well as appearances at the public information session, are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the CALEA standards. A copy of the standards is available for review at the planning and research bureau on the third floor of the police headquarters building at 620 W. Washington St. The agency accreditation manager is Phoenix Police Commander Glen Gardner and he may be contacted at 602-262-6543.

The on-site assessment will be led by Superintendent Susan Maycock of the Peel, Ontario Police Department and she will be joined by a team of two law enforcement professionals. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit police facilities and other locations where compliance can be observed.

Accreditation is for three years, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting to continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

For more information regarding the CALEA, please write the commission at 10302 Eaton Pl., Ste. 100, Fairfax, VA 22030-2215; call the commission at 800-368-3757, or visit their Web site at calea.org.