Public invited to meeting on national accreditation

The Peachtree City Police Department will be scrutinized Saturday, Aug. 22 by a team of assessors as it seeks its national re-accreditation.

The public and agency employees are invited to offer comments on the department’s services and performance at a public information session Sunday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Anyone who cannot speak at the meeting but wants to provide comments may call 770-632-4100 on Monday, Aug. 24 from 1-3 p.m.

All comments will be limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the standards set forth by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. A copy of the standards is available for review at the police headquarters between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact accreditation manager Capt. Rosanna Dove at 770-632-4105 or by fax at 770-631-2512.

Police Chief H.C. “Skip” Clark said the department was honored to take part in the CALEA process.

“The accreditation process ensures that the department meets the highest standards in law enforcement and professional excellence,” Clark said.

CALEA assessors will examine all aspects of the Peachtree City Police Department and will focus on areas such as policies and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.

The Peachtree City Police Department must comply with 310 mandatory standards and 80% of the 85 non-mandatory standards in order to maintain its accredited status. A total of 68 standards are not applicable to the agency as they cover holding facilities and civil processes.

The Peachtree City Police Department was initially accredited on November 21, 1992 and then re-accredited in November 1997, November 2000, November 2003, and November 2006. The accredited status was initially granted for a five-year period. The Commission has now reduced the length of time to three years. During these three years, the department has submitted annual reports attesting to its continued compliance with accreditation standards.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., contact Maya Mitchell, Program Manager, 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, Virginia 22030-2215 or by phone at (800) 368-3757.