Cary PD Earns Gold in 20th Year of Accreditation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2012
Cary PD Earns Gold in 20th Year of Accreditation
Agency first in state to be evaluated under new Gold Standard Assessment, awarded additional excellence award
CARY, NC – As part of another successful reaccreditation process, the Town of Cary Police Department is proud to be the first agency in North Carolina to earn reaccreditation under the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA)’s new assessment standards. Known as the Gold Standard Assessment, this voluntary assessment format works to measure the impact of accreditation as opposed to simply confirming compliance through a file-by-file review. In addition to being reaccredited, the seventh time over the last 20 years, the Town of Cary Police Department also received the Accreditation with Excellence award. Established in 2011, this award provides agencies an opportunity to be further recognized for the effective use of accreditation as a model for enhanced public safety service delivery; specific criteria for the Accreditation with Excellence Award are listed in the Police Department section of www.townofcary.org. The reaccreditation and Accreditation with Excellence award was announced over the weekend in Jacksonville, Florida at CALEA’s winter conference.
“This new process was rigorous and challenging, and I am incredibly proud of the men and women of the Cary Police Department for their tireless work each day to keep Cary one of the safest and best places in the nation,” said Town of Cary Police Chief Pat Bazemore. “We so appreciate all the support we get from our citizens, the Council, Town Manager, and our fellow Town employees as well as the great relationships we have with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. It truly is a team effort.”
CALEA representatives visited Cary in August to begin the comprehensive examination of the Town’s Police Department. The assessment was part of the voluntary process which allowed Cary PD to continue its accreditation with the 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, 390 in all. Once granted, accreditation lasts for three years, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to continued compliance to accreditation standards.
“Having a safe community is one of the most important keys to providing a high quality of life for our citizens, and we are fortunate to have such an expert and dedicated group of professionals working for the Town,” said Town Manager Ben Shivar. “I congratulate our police officers and staff for this tremendous accomplishment, and I want to offer my personal thanks to their families for the support they give to our men and women in uniform.”
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 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 & Cultural Resources departments are also nationally accredited. Learn more about the Town of Cary Police Department at www.townofcary.org.
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PRIMARY CONTACTS:
Pat Bazemore, Police Chief, (919) 469-4032
Ben Shivar, Town Manager, (919) 469-4002
Deanna Boone, Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 462-3908
Susan Moran, Public Information Director, (919) 380-4240
RELATED LINKS:
Police Accreditation
