The public is invited to weigh on on the Clayton Police Department Monday.

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA), will arrive Saturday to examine all aspects of the Clayton Police Department's policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services.

It's part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence. The Clayton Police Department seeks to become the first Accredited Local Law Enforcement Agency in Johnston County. The Clayton Police Department has been preparing for this review for more than two years.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session set for Monday at 6 p.m. The session will be conducted in the Town Council Chambers located at The Clayton Center, 111 East Second Street in Clayton, North Carolina.

If for some reason an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, they may do so by telephone. The public may call 919-553-1511 on Sunday, August 30, 2009, between the hours of 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session may be 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 Clayton Police Department, and the Local Contact is Captain R. W. Bridges, at telephone number 919-553-1575.

Also, persons wishing to offer written comments about the Clayton Police Department's ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-2215.

Of 465 standards, the Clayton Police Department must comply with all mandatory standards applicable to this agency by size and function and at least 80% of all other than mandatory standards in order to achieve Accreditation.

Chief Glen Allen said, "Involvement in the accreditation process is strictly voluntary. Our Department has chosen to meet the accreditation standards, and in doing so, the Clayton Police Department has developed modern and up to date policies and procedures, and has established itself as a professional law enforcement organization. By being professionally accredited by CALEA, the likelihood of civil liability is greatly reduced, personnel have specific written guidelines to follow, and we can deliver the level of law enforcement services the citizens of the Town of Clayton expect and deserve. The accreditation process requires a total commitment by all personnel of the agency."

The CALEA Program Manager for the Clayton Police Department is Ms. Christy Godard. The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar, but out-of-state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, conduct interviews, and visit offices and other places where compliance can be witnessed or observed. The assessors are:

Kimberley S. Crannis

Chief of Police

Blacksburg Police Department

Blacksburg, Virginia

Bradley Biller

Lieutenant

Bowling Green Police Division

Bowling Green, Ohio

Once the assessors complete their on-site review of our agency, they will submit a detailed report to the Commission. Chief Allen and other members of this agency will then go before a sub-committee at the national CALEA conference in November 2009 to answer questions regarding the final report. This sub-committee will ultimately make a recommendation regarding our accredited status to the full commission.

Accreditation is for three years, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to continued compliance with those standards which it was initially accredited.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. please write the Commission at 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-2215; or call (800) 368-3757 or (703) 352-4225; or email calea@calea.org.