FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 21, 2007

Contact: Sid Gaulden, 803-896-8409

 

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY REACCREDITED

 

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announced Friday, December 21, 2007, receipt of its fourth accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).

 

“I am extremely pleased that the department, for the fourth consecutive time, has met the stringent requirements set forth by CALEA,” SCDPS Director James K. Schweitzer said. “The accreditation process requires law enforcement agencies to demonstrate compliance with professional standards in a number of areas such as: policy and procedures, administration, operations and support services.”

 

The stated goal of the Commission’s accreditation program is the improvement of law enforcement service through the use of national standards developed over the course of a number of years by law enforcement agencies across the nation. The standards basically lay out standards that describe what agencies should be doing and not how they should be doing it.

 

The accreditation process concluded in mid-November with an appearance by Director Schweitzer and additional SCDPS personnel before a final commission review panel. That meeting was held in Colorado Springs, Co.

 

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

 

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