Fox Valley Park District Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comment Dec. 3

Editor's note: The following is a press release from the Fox Valley Park District.

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. will examine all aspects of the Fox Valley Park District Police and Public Safety Department policy and procedures, management, operations  and support services beginning Dec. 2.

Verification by the assessor that the Fox Valley Park District Police and Public Safety Department meets the Commission's state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of public safety excellence, said Chief Mark Johnson.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments by telephone. The public may call (630) 878-0133 from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 3. Interested agency personnel and members of the community also are invited to offer comments at a public information session at 5 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora.

Comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency's ability to comply with CALEA standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Fox Valley Park District Police and Public Safety building, 1460 S.E. River Road, Montgomery.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Fox Valley Park District Police and Public Safety Department's ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), 13575 Heathcote, Suite 320, Gainesville, VA, 20155.

The Fox Valley Park District Police and Public Safety Department has to comply with 188 standards in order to gain accreditation status.

The CALEA Program Manager for the Fox Valley Park District Police and Public Safety Department is Christie Goddard, who said assessors are public safety practitioners from similar but out-of-state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and visit offices and other locations where compliance can be witnessed.

The Team Leader is Chief (Ret.) Gary Lafone. The other Team Member is Linda Kaus.

Once the CALEA Team Leader completes a review of the agency, a report is submitted to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accreditation status, said Goddard.

Accreditation is for three years, during which 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. write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, VA, 20155: or call 800-368-3757 or 703-352-4225 or email calea@calea.org.