|
NEWS RELEASE For
Immediate Release |
 |
|
ACCREDITATION
TEAM INVITES PUBLIC COMMENTS A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) will arrive in Clearwater on Tuesday, March 6 to examine all aspects of the Clearwater Police Department's Policies and Procedures, management, operations, and support services, Chief Sid Klein announced today. The department must exhibit to the Commission that it has maintained compliance with approximately 260 standards to continue its accredited status. The Clearwater Police Department was originally accredited by the Commission in May 1998. As part of the on-site assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team. The public may call 727-562-4189 on Wednesday, March 7, 2001 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency's ability to comply with the CFA standards. A copy of the standards is available through the Clearwater Police Department Public Information Officer at 562-4333. For more information regarding CFA, or for persons wishing to offer written comments about the Clearwater Police Department's ability to meet the standards of accreditation, please write the address below or visit the Commission's web site at www.flaccreditation.org:
The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. The Accreditation Program Manager for the Clearwater Police Department is Sergeant Doug Griffith who said the assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies. The assessors will review written materials; interview department employees; and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed. The CFA Assessment Team Leader is Chief Dan Libby of the Punta Gorda Police Department. Other team members are Lieutenant Dean Register of the Florida Capitol Police Department and Lieutenant Paul Baggett of the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Once the Commission's assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the Clearwater Police Department is qualified to maintain its accredited status. Clearwater's accreditation status lasts for three years. Verification by the team that the Clearwater Police Department meets the Commission's standards is part of a voluntary process to gain or maintain accreditation - a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence, Chief Klein said. The department's status will be reviewed at the Commission's May 23, 2001 meeting at the Hilton Inn on Clearwater Beach. For additional information regarding the on-site, please contact Clearwater Police Public Information Officer Wayne Shelor at 727-562-4333. /s/ |