FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 March 27, 2001

CARY, NC – The Town of Cary Police Department has received re-accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), a national organization that evaluated every aspect of the Town of Cary’s law enforcement program, from policies and procedures to management, operations, and support services. In all, Cary PD had to comply with 439 standards to continue to be accredited. The announcement came on March 24, 2001 at the international meeting of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies in Greensboro, NC.

"We’re very proud of this honor, given how difficult it is to maintain accredited status," said Cary Police Chief WJ "Windy" Hunter. "We are required to demonstrate that we have continuously stayed in compliance with each standard over a period of years, something that couldn’t be done without the continued support of our Town Council and a close, positive relationship with our community."

The Cary Police Department was first accredited in 1992, a standing that lasts for three years. While accredited, the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which they were initially accredited. In addition to the reports, representatives from CALEA were in Cary for several days this summer for the on-site portion of its assessment. During their visit, the CALEA team conducted a public information session on August 14^th during which agency employees and members of the community were invited to offer comments. In addition to receiving comments at the information session, citizens were able to share comments with the assessment team via a special telephone line or via e-mail. Written comments were also accepted. Telephone comments, as well as appearances at the public information session were limited to 10 minutes and had to address the agency's ability to comply with CALEA's standards.

The assessors reviewed all written materials and interviewed individuals as well as visited offices and other locations where compliance could be witnessed. This year’s assessors were: Team Leader Michael F. Kelly, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Public Safety; Elizabeth A. Kreiter, Chief of the Maryland National Capitol Park Police; and Sharon Borstel, Accreditation Manager for the Nashua, New Hampshire Police Department. Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of an agency, they report back to the full Commission which then decides if the agency is to be granted accredited status or, in the case of the Cary Police Department, re-accredited status.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., please write the Commission at 10306 Eaton Place, Suite 320, Fairfax, Virginia 22030-2201; or call (800) 368-3757 or (703) 352-4225.

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