Public comment sought for Huntley police accreditation process

On Tuesday, April 5, a team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. will arrive to examine all aspects of the village of Huntley Police Department policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Huntley Police Chief Robert Porter recently announced.

Verification by the team that Huntley Police Department meets the commission's state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to maintain accreditation - a highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence, he said. The Huntley Police Department has been accredited since 2010.

As part of the assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6. The session will be conducted in the board room of the Huntley Municipal Complex at 10987 Main St.

If an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, he/she may do so by telephone. The public may call (847) 515-5358 on April 6 between the hours of 1 and 3 p.m.

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 CALEA Standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Huntley Police Department. Local contact is Christina Austin, (847) 515-5116. Those wishing to offer written comments about the Huntley Police Department's ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Inc. 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia 20155.

"We at the Huntley Police Department are extremely proud to be nationally accredited by CALEA," stated Porter. "I believe that the accreditation process not only provides a blueprint for success, it also builds trust with our community. The transparency and accountability of being accredited are key in earning and maintaining the public's trust."

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

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia 20155; or call (703) 352-4225 or email calea@calea.org.