Public Input Wanted As Cedar Park Police Seek Accreditation

CEDAR PARK, TEXAS — The Cedar Park Police Department has scheduled a public information session on Monday designed to solicit input from residents as it seeks to become an accredited agency.

The department is nearing completion of its initial review toward a quest in becoming an accredited agency with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). Such accreditation, city officials explained in a press advisory, is a "highly prized" distinction secured through a voluntary process toward earning the national recognition of law enforcement professional excellence. The CALEA imprimatur is considered something of a gold standard of accreditation in law enforcement.

To that end, the police force invites feedback from the residents it serves as a key component of the ongoing assessment. For that, a public information session has been scheduled on Monday, Jan. 14 to be staged at the Cedar Park Public Library conference room, 550 Discovery Blvd., at 6 p.m. Those unable to attend the gathering but wanting to provide feedback can do so via telephone between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 14, officials said. The number to call is (512) 260-4620.

Ahead of the meeting, a CALEA assessment team will arrive on Jan. 13 to examine all aspects of the department’s policy and procedures, management operations and support services. The assessment team comprises law enforcement practitioners from out-of-state police agencies similar in scope to the Cedar Park Police Department. The CALEA assessment team includes: Team Leader Captain Michael Pheil from LaGrange Police Department in Georgia and Captain Norman Mann from St. Louis County Police Department in Missouri, local officials explained.

As part of their assessment, team members will review written materials, interview individuals, visit offices and other facilities where the assessment team can verify that the Cedar Park Police

Department is in constant and continuous compliance with the commission’s high professional standards. The standards are available to view by contacting Jennet Sullivan at (512) 260-4688.

Officials noted that comments offered during public information session must address the Cedar Park Police Department’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. Those comments and others offered via telephone for those unable to attend will be limited to 10 minutes, officials added.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Cedar Park Police Departments ability to meet the standards for accreditation can also write to the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155.

Upon completion of their review, the Commission’s assessors report to the full Commission, who then decides if the department is to be accredited. For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Blvd. Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155, call (713) 352-4225 or visit www.calea.org.

Get Patch's Daily Newsletters and Real Time Alerts

>>> Image via Shutterstock