Accreditation Team Invites Public Comment Related to UA Police

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.  — As part of a voluntary accreditation assessment, employees of The University of Alabama and community members are invited to offer comments related to the department Wednesday, Nov. 2,  at 2 p.m. in the training room at the University Police Center, 1110 Jackson Ave., on the UA campus.

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., or CALEA, will arrive Oct. 31 to examine all aspects of the UA Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services, said John Hooks, UA police chief. The public information session is part of the department’s on-site assessment.

Verification by the team that the UA Police Department meets the commission’s state‑of‑the‑art standards is part of the process in gaining and maintaining accreditation – a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence, Hooks said.

“The University of Alabama’s Police Department has to comply with over 350 standards in order to maintain accredited status,” said Hooks. “Maintaining accreditation demonstrates to the University community our agency’s commitment to providing professional services which meet the highest standards,” he said.

If an individual cannot attend the public information session but would like to provide comments to the assessment team, he or she may do so by telephone.

The public may phone 205-347-0543 Tuesday, Nov. 1,  between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Telephone comments and 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 UA Police Department in the University Police Center. The local contact is Aaron Fowler, assistant chief, 205-347-0531.

Those wishing to offer written comments about UA’s Police Department ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155.

Fowler, the accreditation manager for UA’s Police Department, said the assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar, out‑of‑state, agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and other places where compliance may be observed.

The assessors are: Thomas Engells, chief, University of Texas Medical Branch Police Department, team leader; and Carolyn Consoli, major, University of Maryland Department of Public Safety.

Once the commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted re-accredited status, Fowler said.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., write the commission at 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, Va. 22030‑2215; or phone 800-368‑3757 or 703-352‑4225.

Contact

Chris Bryant, UA media relations, 205/348-8323, cbryant@ur.ua.edu

Source

Aaron Fowler, 205/347-0531