Delaware State Police Seeks CALEA Reaccreditation

Monday, April 8, 2013

Resume:
Dover- CALEA Accreditation Assessment team invites public comment.

Final preparations are underway for the on-site assessment of the Delaware State Police by representatives from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The assessment is scheduled for April 15 – 18, 2013 and the CALEA team will examine all aspects of the DSP’s policy and procedures, management, operations and support services. As part of the on-site assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments.

The Delaware State Police was originally accredited in 1988 and reaccredited in 1993, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010. Maintaining this status is an on-going process and requires constant monitoring and updating of policies and procedures to assure that the Delaware State Police meet the Commission’s standards. Reaccreditation is a formal recognition of the agency’s professional excellence.

The Delaware State Police was the first law enforcement agency in Delaware to receive International Law Enforcement Accreditation. There are over 600 accredited agencies in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Barbados.

As part of the on-site assessment, a toll-free telephone number has been established to invite agency employees and members of the public to offer comments. All calls are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA Standards. Calls can be made to (800) 993-9133 on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 between the hours of 1:00 - 3:00 P.M..

The Delaware State Police must comply with 480 law enforcement accreditation standards in order to achieve reaccreditation. 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 the various Troops and Sections throughout the state where compliance can be observed.

The assessors are Darrell E. Stilwell (Retired Lt. Colonel, Virginia State Police) and Albert Manint (Retired Lieutenant, Illinois State Police). Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then determine if the agency is to be granted reaccredited status.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Delaware State Police’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155 or call (703) 352-4225 Attention: Ms. Maya Mitchell, Program Manager.