A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will arrive on Monday, August 19, to examine several aspects of the Bristol Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services.

Verification by the team that Bristol Police comply with the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 6 p.m. The session will be held in the Town Council Chambers, at Bristol Town Hall, 10 Court St. If an individual would like to provide comments to the assessment team but is unable to attend the public information session, he/she may do so by calling 401/253-5443 on Monday, Aug. 19, between the hours of 1 and 3 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.

A copy of the standards is available at the Bristol Police Department, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Local contact is Patrolman Brandon Correia at 401/253-6900. Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Bristol Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to write the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155.

The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from 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 team leader Chief Jason Moen from the Auburn Police Department, Auburn, Maine, and Lt. Charles Groover from the Covington Police Department, Monroe, Ga. Once the Commission’s 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 accredited status.

CALEA Accreditation is granted for a four-year period during which the agency must submit annual reports and provide other documentation 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. write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155, or call 703/352-4225.