Mar 17th, 2017
Chief of Police James Barber announced today that a team of assessors from the international accrediting agency, Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), will arrive in Mobile on Monday, March 20, 2017 to examine all aspects of the Mobile Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations and support services. The assessors are Chief (Ret.) Paul Verrecchia formerly with Providence (RI) Police Department and Brown University PD and Ms. Dorris Certain, currently the accreditation manager with the University Park (TX) Police Department.
The Mobile Police Department voluntarily submits to the process of verification by the assessment team to ensure that the Department meets all CALEA law enforcement standards to maintain its present accredited status. The Mobile Police Department was originally accredited in July 1994.
“Sustaining an accredited status is a highly-prized recognition of public safety professional excellence,” Barber stated.
As part of the on-site assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at 7 p.m. The session will be conducted at Mobile Police Headquarters, 2460 Government Blvd, Mobile, Alabama, 36606.
If for some reason an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, he/she may do so by telephone. The public may call 251-208-1766 Tuesday, March 21, 2017 between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
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 for examination at Mobile Police Headquarters, 2460 Government Blvd. For more information, please contact Lieutenant Jim Wilson at 251-208-1913.
Anyone wishing to submit written comments regarding the Mobile Police Department’s ability to comply with CALEA’s professional law enforcement standards for accreditation is invited to send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155.
Lieutenant Jim Wilson is the accreditation manager for the Mobile Police Department. Wilson describes the on-site assessment team as comprised of law enforcement experts from out-of-state agencies.
“The assessors will scrutinize departmental documents, interview individuals, and visit sites within the MPD where compliance standards can be demonstrated and verified,” Wilson stated.
After the CALEA assessors conclude the evaluation of the Department, they will report their findings to the full Commission, which will determine if the Department will be granted reaccredited status. Lt. Wilson added that accreditation is for three years, during which time the MPD must present annual reports to CALEA demonstrating continued compliance with applicable accreditation standards.
For more information concerning the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), please write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155.
MOBILE POLICE DEPARTMENT