The Canton Township Police Department welcomed some special 'virtual' visitors this week as the team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) began an examination into all aspects of the Canton department policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services.
As part of their assessment, members of the community and agency personnel participated in a virtual public information webinar last Tuesday. Members of the public who could not join the virtual webinar were offered the opportunity to provide comments to the assessment team by phone.
All comments online or by phone were limited to 10 minutes, and were required to address the police department ability to comply with CALEA standards. A copy of the CALEA standards can be obtained from the police department CALEA Program Manager, Deputy Chief Craig Wilsher at (734) 394-5424 or cwilsher@canton-mi.org.
Individuals who prefer to offer written comments regarding the ability of the police department to meet the standards for reaccreditation may send them to: CALEA, 13575 Heathcoat Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155.
The team of assessors assigned to Canton are experienced law enforcement practitioners from similar, but out-of-state agencies, and include: Chief Carl Schinner, La Plata (MD) Police Department and Sgt. Greta Kay Mallard, Wilmington (NC) Police Department. In addition to accepting public comments, the assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and virtually tour offices and locations where compliance can be witnessed.
The assessors will report their findings to the Commission Board, who will then determine if the Canton Police Department has met the CALEA standards necessary to be awarded the prestigious recognition of reaccreditation for their delivery of law enforcement excellence. The department received its original award in 2007, and has maintained reaccreditation since then.
For more information regarding the Commission on Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., visit www.calea.org.
