The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) is moving its public comment and feedback service online with the launch of a web-based public comment portal.
According to its website calea.org, the organization was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement’s major executive associations. Law enforcement agencies must prove to meet the “gold standard” to attain and keep certification.
CALEA has a five step process to maintain accreditation that includes a full review of all policies.
“We review all policies from the oath of office to recruitment and diversity, we look at everything, but this is voluntary, agencies that seek our certification want to be better and want to be transparent with the public,” Travis Parris, director of client services and relations for CALEA, said.
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Pat Clayton says CALEA reviews law enforcement certifications on a bi-annual or tri-annual basis and Richmond County is up for a review.
“It’s very helpful to us to receive public comments and the web portal makes it more convenient,” Clayton said.
Clayton added that CALEA will hold a public forum as well, but a date has yet to be determined.
The portal does not use a survey rating system, but simply allows citizens to make comments. According to a press release sent by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, CALEA is not an investigatory body and subsequently, the public portal should not be used to submit information for such purposes.
“We do not conduct investigations, so if someone has a serious complaint, they need to follow the chain of command, starting with internal affairs,” Parrish said.
The Public Comment page can be reached directly by clicking here.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
