NCPD to be reviewed by accreditation commission

As part of its continuing commitment to providing the New Canaan residents with the highest quality law enforcement services possible, the New Canaan Police Department is scheduled to be reviewed by an assessment team from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

CALEA was established in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of four major law enforcement executive associations: The International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriff's Association and the Police Executive Research Forum. Its purpose is to improve the delivery of public safety services, primarily by ensuring that participant agencies comply with a body of standards that cover all facets of modern law enforcement administration and operations.

The department has been CALEA-accredited since November 1992. As part of the voluntary process, the New Canaan Police Department must demonstrate compliance with more than specific standards. Once every three years, an assessment team representing the commission is sent to New Canaan to review standard files, as well as observe, interview and report on all aspects of its daily operations.

The department's accreditation officer has already sent a number of files to the assessment team for off-site review. The team is comprised of Judy Gershkowitz and Tom Younce, who will arrive in New Canaan on Monday, Aug. 20, to begin an extensive onsite inspection of all department policies and operations.

As part of the assessment process, the public and agency personnel may offer their comments in a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, in the Adrian Lamb Room of the New Canaan Public Library. Those unable to attend may have their comments heard during a call-in session Tuesday, between 1 and 3 p.m. at 203-594-3528.

Comments may also be mailed to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville VA 20155.

At the conclusion of the onsite inspection, the team will complete a final report detailing its findings. The report will then be forwarded to the commission for review at its fall conference in St. Petersburg, Fla. If the commission determines that the department has satisfactorily demonstrated compliance with all standards that apply to the agency, it will be granted its seventh accreditation award and receive meritorious distinction for maintaining its accredited status for more than 15 consecutive years.

For more information, visit www.calea.org or contact the department's accreditation manager, Lt. Vincent DeMaio, at 203-594-3522.