A team of Assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will arrive on December 4, 2016 to examine all aspects of the Henderson Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations and support services.

Verification by the team that the Henderson Police Department meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Monday, December 5, 2016 at 6 pm. The session will be conducted at the meeting room at the City of Henderson Operations Center Conference Room, 900 South Beckford Drive. Henderson NC 27536.

If for some reason an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would like to provide comments to the assessment team, he/she may do so by telephone.  The public may call (252) 739-7040 on Monday, December 5, 2016 between the hours of 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to five (5) minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. A copy of the standards will be available for viewing at the Henderson Police Department Front Desk after 11/01/2016. The local contact is Lieutenant C.D. Ball at (252)431-6069.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Henderson Police Department’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).

The Police Department has to comply with over 440 standards in order to gain accredited status. By achieving accredited status, the department will be recognized nationally and internationally in the law enforcement community.

The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar but out-of-state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit officers and other places where compliance can be witnessed. The assessing team is comprised of the team leader and one (1) additional assessor. Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the Commission, which will then decide if the department is to be granted accredited status.

Accreditation is for four (4) years, during which time 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., please write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Blvd, Suite 320, Gainsville VA 20155 or call (703)352-4225