DSP News Release:  Delaware State Police Communications Section Seeks CALEA Accreditation 

Date:  Wednesday, August 31, 2011   

Resume:

Dover-The Delaware State Police have announced that a team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation Inc. (CALEA) will arrive September 12, 2011 to examine all aspects of the Delaware State Police Communications Section policy and procedures, management, and operations.

“Verification by the assessment team that the Delaware State Police Communications Section meets the Commission’s state of the art standards is part of a voluntary process to maintain accreditation, and is a highly prized recognition of excellence in public safety communication”, Chief of Delaware State Police Communications Bill Carrow stated.

As part of the on-site assessment, DSP employees and the general public are invited to offer comments on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. by calling the Delaware Helpline (800) 273-9500.  Callers should request to be transferred to the DSP CALEA Assessment Team, where they will be put in direct contact with Assessment Team members to offer comments.

Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards.  Questions regarding the standards and a copy of the CALEA Standards Manual can be answered and received by the DSP Communications Section Administrative Office by contacting Chief Bill Carrow at (302) 659-2340.

Individuals wishing to submit written comments about the Delaware State Police Communications Section’s ability to comply with standards for accreditation may send them to:

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA)

13575 Heathcoat Boulevard

Suite 320

Gainesville, VA 20155.

“The Delaware State Police Communications Section’s 9-1-1 centers have to continuously comply with over 200 rigorous standards in order to be awarded accreditation status,” remarked Chief Bill Carrow.  Carrow further explained that, “Accreditation provides official recognition of the dedication and hard work of the professional personnel in our four communication centers that make up our section, who work tirelessly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist our community in emergency situations.”

The Accreditation Program Manager for DSP Communications process is Karen Shepard of CALEA.  Shepard commented, “The assessment team is composed of communications and law enforcement practitioners from similar, but out of state agencies.”  The assessors will review written materials, conduct individual interviews, and visit facilities where compliance can be witnessed.

The Assessors are:  Team Leader Cheri Pickard-Akselsen, Commander of the Johns Creek Police Department (GA) and Assessor Julie Jones, Accreditation and Training Manager, Calcasieu Parish Public Safety Communications (LA).

CALEA Commissioners will be notified of the results of the assessment in a detailed report by the Team Leader and will decide if the Delaware State Police Communications Section will be awarded CALEA Accreditation.

Once accredited, the agency must submit annual reports to CALEA attesting to its continued compliance with those standards.  At the end of a 3 year period, the Delaware State Police Communication Section will seek re-accreditation once again.

For more information on accreditation, please call CALEA at (703) 352-4225

Released:  083111 1300