Session is part of reaccreditation process for UMKC Police Department

A team of Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) assessors will examine all aspects of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Police Department’s Policies and Procedures, Management, Operations and Support Services on Monday, July 29, 2013. Community members and agency employees are invited to share their comments.

“Verification by the team that the UMKC Police Department meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain reaccreditation – a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” said Chief Michael Bongartz.

The public information session will take place at 9 a.m., in Room 137, University Police Department, 5005 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo. on the UMKC Volker Campus.

If an individual cannot speak at the session but would like to provide comments to the assessment team, he or she may do so by telephone. They may call (816) 235-6311 between the hours of 1p.m. and 3 p.m. on July 29.

Telephone comments, as well as 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 UMKC Police Department. For more information, contact Captain Joseph Rucinski at (816) 235-1518.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Police Department’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write to: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., 13575 Heathcote Blvd, Suite 320, Gainesville, Va. 20155.

The CALEA Program Manager for the University Police Department is Christie Goddard, who indicated that the assessment team is composed of public safety practitioners from similar, but out-of-state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and visit offices and other locations where compliance can be witnessed.

The assessors are Chief Rob Geis, Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio; and Major Carolyn Consoli, University of Maryland, Department of Public Safety.

“Once the CALEA 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 reaccredited status,” said Goddard.

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

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., please write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Blvd, Suite 320, Gainesville, Va. 20155; call (800) 368-3757 or (703) 352-4225; or email calea@calea.org.