The Lynchburg Police Department’s national accreditation is up for review next month.
Part of that review process is a public information session. Citizens can comment on the police department and its performance in more than 350 nationally recognized standards, according to a police department news release.
A team of three assessors will begin looking at the police department’s policies, procedures, operation and support services beginning Monday, Aug. 11.
Part of the assessment is a public comment session on Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. in the city council meeting chambers.
Comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the department’s ability to meet the national accreditation standards.
Lt. Alan Faircloth, the department’s accreditation manager, said the session is for the public to comment on the suitability of the police department for reaccreditation, not about individual problems with specific officers.
“This is, ‘Is the agency doing what it’s supposed to be doing?’” Faircloth said. “The assessors are here to make sure that we are following the CALEA guidelines, that we are following the national best practices. … Our compliance with CALEA is voluntary. We are accredited not for the city council, not for the police department but for the community.”
The Lynchburg Police Department is one of only 600 nationally accredited agencies out of almost 18,000 nationwide.
Maj. Parks Snead, acting chief of the Lynchburg Police Department, said the accreditation compares the police department’s procedures against the best law enforcement practices nationally and
internationally.
“Our mantra has and always will be a safe and orderly community,” Snead said. “It is the fundamental piece to all our other successes. Until it is safe, it’s difficult to enjoy what other things there are to offer.”
The police department has been accredited since 1989.
“This is not one of those rubber stamp inspections,” Faircloth said. “They hold us accountable. We need to be able to explain what we are doing or what we are not doing.”
Once the review is complete, the assessors will report to the full commission to determine if the department will be reaccredited. That notification will be made in December.
Want to comment?- To comment in person, attend the session Monday, Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. in the city council meeting chambers at 900 Church St.
- Comments can also be made by phone by calling (434) 444-3014 on Aug. 11 between 1 and 4 p.m.
- Submit comments in writing to: The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 10302 Eaton Place, Ste. 100, Fairfax, VA 22030-2215.
- A copy of the standards manual is available at the Lynchburg Police Department’s West Building at 805 Court St.
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