NEWS

Accreditation assessment team invites public comment

CHAPEL HILL -- A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. will hold a public information session April 28 as part of its review of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Public Safety’s policy and procedures, management, operations and support services.

The commission accredited the UNC department in 1995 and re-accredited it in 2000.

Verification by the team that the department meets the commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a scheduled voluntary process to gain re-accreditation, said UNC Police Chief Derek Poarch. Being accredited is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.

As a part of an on-site assessment, assessors from the commission will hold a public information session on April 28 at 6 p.m. in the Azalea Room of UNC’s William and Ida Friday Continuing Education Center, located off N.C. 54 in Chapel Hill.

Department employees, university community members and the public are invited to offer comments at the session. The amount of time allowed for comments will be limited to 10 minutes and must address the public safety department’s ability to comply with applicable standards.

Members of the community also are invited to offer comments by calling (919) 843-1424 on April 28 between 8:30 a.m. and noon. Comments will be taken by the assessment team, will be limited to 10 minutes and must address the UNC department’s ability to comply with commission standards.

Individuals who wish to offer written comments about the Department of Public Safety's ability to comply with reaccreditation standards may send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Inc., 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-2215.

"Our department must comply with 443 standards to maintain accredited status," Poarch said. "Being accredited garners public confidence, it is a source of pride for members of our department, and it is in keeping with the core values which we strive to uphold."

UNC Capt. Ollie C. Bowler, accreditation program manager, said the assessment team is composed of three law enforcement practitioners from similar out-of-state agencies.

"The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and visit offices and other places where compliance can be witnessed," Bowler said.

When the assessors complete their review, they report back to the full commission, which issues a final decision on reaccreditation, he said. Accreditation is for three years and requires additional annual reports confirming continued compliance with the accrediting standards.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., call (800) 368-3757 or (703) 352-4225.

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UNC police contact: Capt. Ollie Bowler, 962-0563
News Services contact: Mike McFarland, 962-8593