FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 9, 2007

Contact: Sid Gaulden, 803-896-8409

 

CALEA ASSESSMENT SCHEDULED

 

COLUMBIA – The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will begin an on-site assessment of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety on April 28.

 

The accreditation program requires law enforcement agencies 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 1-866-439-4092 on Monday, April 30, between the hours of 2 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), 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-2215. 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, 10311 Wilson Boulevard, Blythewood, SC, 29016.)

 

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 excellence.

 

“We have demonstrated through our efforts to maintain national accreditation status that the Department of Public Safety is a professional law enforcement agency,” DPS Director James K. Schweitzer said. “Professionalism and excellence are what we strive to achieve on a daily basis.”

 

Law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies in other states 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 accreditation.

 

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.

 

                                                --30—

 

SG/16/07