Accreditation Assessment Team invites public comment on Crystal Lake Police Department
A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. will arrive Monday, Oct. 14, to examine all aspects of the Crystal Lake Police Department's policy and procedures, management, operations and support services, Chief James Black announced Oct. 4.
Verification by the team that the Crystal Lake 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.
As part of the on-site assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. The session will be conducted at the City of Crystal Lake Municipal Complex, Room 105/106, 100 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake.
If for some reason an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, they may do so by telephone. The public may call (815) 356-3800 from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. Comments will be taken during those hours by the members of the Assessment Team.
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 City of Crystal Lake Police Department, 100 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake. Contact Administrative Sergeant Charles Harris at (815) 356-3719 for an appointment.
People wishing to offer written comments about the City of Crystal Lake Police Departments ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write to Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Inc., 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia 20155.
The Crystal Lake Police Department has to comply with 484 standards in order to gain accredited status.
Benefits of CALEA accreditation include:
• Greater accountability within the agency
• Reduced risk and liability exposure
• Stronger defense against civil lawsuits
• Staunch support from government officials
• Increased community advocacy
Under the direction of Chief James Black, the Crystal Lake CALEA Accreditation process is under the management of Administrative Sergeant Charles Harris. Accreditation is for four years, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was originally accredited.
For more information on the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155; or call (703) 352-4225; or email calea@calea.org.