Tuesday, April 12, 2011

CMPD Re-Accredited

Proof that CMPD at it core is still a well structured police department. After months of work the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), has approved the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for accredited status.

The press release in all its double talk and fluff is below:

Sent: Tue Apr 12th, 2011 10:42 AM EDT
Subject: CMPD Reaccreditation

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is pleased to announce that the CMPD has successfully completed a multiyear process designed to attain internationally acknowledged law enforcement recognition by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).

CALEA was established as a private, non-profit accrediting authority in 1979 by the four major law enforcement executive associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); National Sheriffs' Association (NSA); and Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). The Commission has 21 members; 11 of whom are law enforcement practitioners, with the remaining 10 from the public and private sectors.

CALEA's purpose and mission is two-fold. First, to establish a body of standards designed to increase agency effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of public safety services and, second, to establish and administer a series of credentialing programs through which public safety agencies can demonstrate voluntarily that they meet an established set of internationally recognized professional standards leading to excellence in management and service delivery.

The CALEA Accreditation Process, itself, is a proven modern management model. Once implemented, it presents an agency's Chief Executive Officer, on a continuing basis, with a blueprint that promotes the efficient use of resources and improves service delivery - regardless of the size, geographic location, or functional responsibilities of the agency. The standards upon which CALEA's Programs are based reflect the current thinking and experience of public safety practitioners and researchers and are considered benchmarks for today's public safety agencies.

Agencies receive their awards after participating in a process that involves a commitment of personnel and other resources. The process normally takes approximately 36 months for law enforcement agencies seeking CALEA Accreditation. During that period, all aspects of the agency's policies, procedures, management, operations and support services are examined in detail. In addition, each agency conducts a detailed self-assessment and participates in an on-site review by a team of outside CALEA Assessors, composed of experienced public safety practitioners. The local community is also notified of the process and given an opportunity to submit their comments and observations

Some of the benefits that law enforcement agencies receive as a result of their participation in the CALEA Accreditation Process include:

* Independent confirmation that policies comply with professionally developed standards
* Promote fair recruitment, selection and promotion processes
* Reduced exposure to civil law suits and costly settlements
* Enhanced understanding of agency policies and procedures
* Greater administrative and operational effectiveness
* Greater public confidence in the agency and its personnel

The CALEA Accreditation Process has proven to be of great benefit to both the agency and the community. It requires that the agency conform to procedures that are consistent with internationally recognized professional standards. This is the foundation for competent, responsible, and ethical service to the public. It also requires the agency to take a thorough, introspective look at its mission, objectives, and operation. This results in a process of evaluation that allows the agency to adjust ways of doing business in order to respond to the needs of an ever-changing society. CALEA Accreditation is a key element in any law enforcement agency's ability to perform in the present and plan for the future. It has, over and over, proven itself to be an effective, modern management model.

For more information concerning accreditation please contact Sgt. Chris Fish at cfish@cmpd.org

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

When did they start the process for this?

"
* Independent confirmation that policies comply with professionally developed standards
* Promote fair recruitment, selection and promotion processes
* Reduced exposure to civil law suits and costly settlements
* Enhanced understanding of agency policies and procedures
* Greater administrative and operational effectiveness
* Greater public confidence in the agency and its personnel"

While I would like to think these things are true, especially the "reduced exposure to civil law suits and costly settlements"....I really don't see that AT ALL.

I have a feeling this is more a "rubber stamp" thing, it's that or they have their heads up their butts and have not really researched or paid attention.

And this is NO reflection on the hard working Officers who DO deserve this, it's just that rodney and his cohorts SO don't.

Anonymous said...

I think they started in back in 2009 its an ongoing process. Pretty sure the department has maintained its "Accredited" status since the late 80's

Anonymous said...

I don't know when they started the process. I do know that the "public hearing" was canceled due to snow and not rescheduled because the out-of-town consultants left. When I called and tried to speak with them before they left town with evidence of police corruption, they refused to take the information. I called the main office and they, too, refused to take the information. Seems they were really focused only on the "reduced exposure to lawsuits" with the same denials that CMPD and the City excercise here... This accreditation is meaningless and I have seen zero evidence that they did any more than visit with friends in blue to bolster their bad positions with this gold stamp.