Huntley Police Department takes steps toward accreditation

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. will arrive Monday, April 1, to examine all aspects of the Huntley Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Chief John Perkins has announced.

“Verification by the team that the Huntley Police Department meets the commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of the voluntary process to attain accreditation — a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence. Huntley is hoping to continue its status through this reaccreditation process. Agencies nationally accredited in McHenry County are the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department, McHenry, Huntley and recently the Crystal Lake Police Department.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2. The session will be conducted in the board room of the Huntley Municipal Complex, 10997 E. Main St., Huntley.

If someone cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team they may do so by calling (847) 515-5358 on April 2 between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m. Comments will be taken during those hours by the members of the assessment team.

Telephone comments and appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s compliance with CALEA Standards. A copy of the standards will be available for review at the Huntley Police Department, 10911 E. Main St., Huntley. Call Gary Wigman at (847) 515-5356 for an appointment.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Huntley Police Department’ ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Inc., 13575 Heathcoat Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, Va., 20155.

The Huntley Police Department’s CALEA accreditation program manager is Christy Goddard. She has assigned the following law enforcement professionals from out-of-state agencies to review written materials, conduct interviews, and visit the facilities of the agency.

Team leader is Chief Bruce Robertson of the Centerville Police Department, Centerville, Ohio; and Assessment Team Member is Sgt. Christopher Connelly of the Chesterfield Police Department, Chesterfield, Mo.

Once these assessors complete their review, they will report back to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency will be granted reaccredited status. Under the direction of Chief John Perkins, the Huntley accreditation process is under the management of Gary R. Wigman.