On Saturday, January 16, 2010, a team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), will arrive at the Warwick Police Department to examine all aspects of the agency’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services.  The Warwick Department’s last such assessment was conducted in August of 2006, after which it was awarded re-accredited status.  This latest assessment is part of a voluntary process to maintain nationally accredited status – a highly prized recognition of professional excellence in law enforcement.

Verification by the assessment team that the Warwick Police Department meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is key to the Department’s re-accreditation.  As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session to be held on Monday, January 18, 2010, beginning at 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm.  The session will be held at the Warwick Police Department, Community Room, 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, Rhode Island.

If, for some reason, individuals cannot speak at the public information session, but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, they may do so by telephone.  The public may call (401) 468-4328 on Sunday, January 17, 2010, between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 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.  Copies of the CALEA Standards are available for review at the Warwick Police Department.  Questions concerning compliance with any of the standards may be directed to the agency Accreditation Manager, Sergeant Rick Rathbun, at telephone number (401) 468-4324.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Warwick 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.

The CALEA Program Manager for the Warwick Police Department is Ms. Karen Shepard.  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: Chief Daniel Shaw of the Norton Shores Police Department in Norton Shores, Michigan and, Lieutenant (Retired) Paula Fox of the Manchester Police Department in Manchester, New Hampshire.  Once the assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted re-accredited status.

Accredited, or re-accredited status, lasts for three years, during which time 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 or (703) 952-4225.

CONTACT:     Colonel Stephen McCartney (401) 468-4200