FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 9, 2001

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

SCDPS ANNOUNCES ON-SITE ACCREDITATION ASSESSMENT

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety today announced that it is scheduled for an on-site assessment by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) beginning on April 29.

The accreditation program requires DPS to comply with professional standards in the following areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations and support services.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and the public are invited to offer comments by calling the assessment team at 1-866-238-3188 on Monday, April 30, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Persons wishing to offer written comments may send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 10306 Eaton Place, Suite 320, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-2201. All comments must address the Department of Public Safety’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. (A copy of the standards is available for review in the DPS Office of Executive Affairs, 5400 Broad River Road, Columbia.)

Verification by the team that DPS meets CALEA standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.

"By becoming nationally accredited, we are demonstrating our ongoing efforts to be a more efficient, focused and professional law enforcement agency," DPS Director B. Boykin Rose said. "The Department is committed to meeting the expectations of all South Carolinians for professionalism and excellence in the performance of our duties."

The CALEA assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies from other states. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and visit DPS facilities and other places where compliance can be witnessed. Once the assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if DPS is to be granted accredited status.

In order to maintain their accredited status, law enforcement agencies must undergo re-accreditation every three years to ensure continued compliance with CALEA standards. DPS was first accredited by CALEA in 1998.

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