Accrediting Team to Visit Middletown Police

MIDDLETOWN, RI — Middletown's police department is working on state accreditation, which would certify police are following best practices. An important date is upcoming on April 10.

“A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. will arrive April 10 to re-examine all aspects of the Middletown Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services,” Chief Anthony M. Pesare said. “Verification by the team that the Middletown Police Department continues to meet the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain re-accreditation—a highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence,” Chief Pesare said.

As part of the assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on April 11 at 6 p.m., at Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road.

Alternatively, telephone comment are also being accepted at (401) 842-6595 on April 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

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 Standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Middletown Public Library. Local contact is Lt. Jason Ryan, (401) 842-6500 ext.7020 or Officer Jean Young at jyoung@middletownri.com.

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

“The Middletown Police Department has to comply with 484 standards in order be re-accredited,” Chief Pesare said. “Analogous to a physician becoming board certified, maintaining CALEA accreditation will mean that we have met nationally accepted standards for policing.”

Accreditation is for four 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 Boulevard, Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia 20155; or call (703) 352-4225 or email calea@calea.org.