CARY POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES REACCREDITATION

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 Colorado Springs , CO at CALEA’s quarterly meeting. This was the fourth assessment of the Cary Police Department by CALEA in the past 11 years.  Currently, only about two dozen agencies in North Carolina are accredited, with Cary being the 11^th in 1992 and Greensboro being the first in 1986.  

"Reaccreditation by CALEA is a prestigious honor that we are proud to have earned,” said Cary Police Chief WJ “Windy” Hunter.  “Because maintaining accredited status means we can demonstrate having continuously stayed in compliance with each standard for the last three years, our citizens can have a high level of confidence that we are doing the right thing in the right ways.”  

Cary ’s reassessment this year was part of a voluntary process which allowed Cary PD 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.  In all, Cary PD had to comply with 444 standards.  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 viewed as professionals who find creative and innovative solutions to law enforcement issues,” said Town Manager Bill Coleman.  “I continue to be proud of them and supportive of the great work they do each day."  

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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