Media Contact:
Captain Joseph Goodrow, NC State University Police Department, 919/515-5916

Nov. 11, 2003

Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), will arrive Dec. 6, 2003 to examine all aspects of the NC State University Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations and support services, Director Thomas C. Younce announced today.

Verification by the team that the NC State University 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, he said.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session Dec. 8, 2003 at 7 p.m. The session will be conducted in the Ball Room of the Talley Student Center, located at 2610 Cates Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina.

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 919/513-1799 on Dec. 9, 2003 between the hours of 1 p.m. and 4 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’s standards. A copy of the standards is available at the NC State University Police Department. Local contact is Captain Joseph W. Goodrow, 919/515-5916.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the NC State University Police Department’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-2215.

“We are looking forward to the arrival of the On-Site Team from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies,” Director Younce said. “This has been a two year process for us and give us an opportunity to demonstrate that our department practices
nationally recognized standards. Accreditation is a continuing step to insure that our department provides quality law enforcement services to this great university.”

The Accreditation Manager for the NC State University Police Department is Captain Joseph W. Goodrow. He said 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 offices and other places where compliance can be witnessed. The assessors are:

Director Andrew J. D’Eramo, Jr.
Lewiston-Auburn 911 Communications Center
Lewiston, Maine

Lieutenant Patrick Lyons
Winnetka Police Department
Winnetka, Illinois

Sergeant Michael Murray
University of Richmond Police Department
Richmond, Virginia

Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.

Accreditation is for three years, during which 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 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-2215; or call (800) 368-3757.

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