Town of Cary Police Department Receives Reaccreditation, Awarded Flagship Status
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 23, 2009
CALEA reaccredits Cary for the 17th year in a row
CARY, NC – The Town of Cary Police Department has been granted national reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The announcement was made over the weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah at CALEA’s winter conference. This was the sixth assessment of the Cary Police Department by CALEA in the past 17 years. The department also received a meritorious service award for being accredited for more than 15 years. Currently, only about four dozen agencies in North Carolina are accredited, with Cary being the 11th in 1992 and Greensboro being the first in 1986.
In addition to being reaccredited, the department was awarded Flagship Agency status. The CALEA Flagship Agency Program is designed to acknowledge CALEA Accredited public safety agencies that have demonstrated success in the accreditation process. The program also serves to provide other agencies seeking accreditation with examples of “best practices” on how to address compliance, policy development, file maintenance, and other issues relating to the accreditation process. The Flagship Agency designation is effective for the duration of the current award period, and only nine agencies in North Carolina currently hold the designation.
"Reaccreditation by CALEA is a very distinguished honor that we’re proud to have earned with the support of the Town Council, the Town Manager and staff, and our citizens,” said Town of Cary Police Chief Pat Bazemore. “This mark of distinction represents our unwavering commitment to professionalism and dedication to providing superior law enforcement services to our citizens. What’s important to our citizens is important to us, and keeping them safe is our top priority.”
Cary’s reassessment was part of a voluntary process that allowed the department to continue its accreditation with the national organization. Assessors reviewed written materials, interviewed individuals, and visited offices and other locations where compliance could be witnessed. The department complied with 100% of all mandatory and non-mandatory standards, 388 in all. Once granted, accreditation lasts for three years during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which they were initially accredited.
"Our staff is clearly focused on meeting the highest achievable levels of professional standards that will enrich the lives of our citizens each day,” said Town Manager Ben Shivar. “I continue to be proud of them and supportive of the great work they do."
CALEA was formed in 1979 to establish an accreditation process that provides law enforcement agencies an opportunity to voluntarily demonstrate that they meet an established set of professional standards. The body of standards is designed to increase law enforcement agency capabilities to prevent and control crime as well as improve agency effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of law enforcement services. These standards also increase cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies, and they raise citizen and employee confidence in departmental goals, objectives, policies, and practices.
In addition to its police department, the Town of Cary's fire and parks, recreation and cultural resources departments are also nationally accredited.
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PRIMARY CONTACTS:
Chief Pat Bazemore, Cary Police, (919) 469-4023
Ben Shivar, Town Manager, (919) 469-4002
Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 462-3908
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951
November 23, 2009
CALEA reaccredits Cary for the 17th year in a row
CARY, NC – The Town of Cary Police Department has been granted national reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The announcement was made over the weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah at CALEA’s winter conference. This was the sixth assessment of the Cary Police Department by CALEA in the past 17 years. The department also received a meritorious service award for being accredited for more than 15 years. Currently, only about four dozen agencies in North Carolina are accredited, with Cary being the 11th in 1992 and Greensboro being the first in 1986.
In addition to being reaccredited, the department was awarded Flagship Agency status. The CALEA Flagship Agency Program is designed to acknowledge CALEA Accredited public safety agencies that have demonstrated success in the accreditation process. The program also serves to provide other agencies seeking accreditation with examples of “best practices” on how to address compliance, policy development, file maintenance, and other issues relating to the accreditation process. The Flagship Agency designation is effective for the duration of the current award period, and only nine agencies in North Carolina currently hold the designation.
"Reaccreditation by CALEA is a very distinguished honor that we’re proud to have earned with the support of the Town Council, the Town Manager and staff, and our citizens,” said Town of Cary Police Chief Pat Bazemore. “This mark of distinction represents our unwavering commitment to professionalism and dedication to providing superior law enforcement services to our citizens. What’s important to our citizens is important to us, and keeping them safe is our top priority.”
Cary’s reassessment was part of a voluntary process that allowed the department to continue its accreditation with the national organization. Assessors reviewed written materials, interviewed individuals, and visited offices and other locations where compliance could be witnessed. The department complied with 100% of all mandatory and non-mandatory standards, 388 in all. Once granted, accreditation lasts for three years during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which they were initially accredited.
"Our staff is clearly focused on meeting the highest achievable levels of professional standards that will enrich the lives of our citizens each day,” said Town Manager Ben Shivar. “I continue to be proud of them and supportive of the great work they do."
CALEA was formed in 1979 to establish an accreditation process that provides law enforcement agencies an opportunity to voluntarily demonstrate that they meet an established set of professional standards. The body of standards is designed to increase law enforcement agency capabilities to prevent and control crime as well as improve agency effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of law enforcement services. These standards also increase cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies, and they raise citizen and employee confidence in departmental goals, objectives, policies, and practices.
In addition to its police department, the Town of Cary's fire and parks, recreation and cultural resources departments are also nationally accredited.
###
PRIMARY CONTACTS:
Chief Pat Bazemore, Cary Police, (919) 469-4023
Ben Shivar, Town Manager, (919) 469-4002
Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 462-3908
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951
