The Round Rock Police Department will soon complete a triennial review required to retain its status as a fully accredited agency, a highly prized distinction the department has maintained since its initial accreditation in 2004. This voluntary process of obtaining accreditation imparts upon the agency a national recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will arrive Aug. 14 to examine all aspects of the Department’s policy and procedures, management operations and support services. The assessment team comprises law enforcement practitioners from out-of-state police agencies that are characteristically similar to the Round Rock Police Department and includes Team Leader retired Capt. John Foster of  the Florissant (Mo.) Police Department and Synthia Nugent, Accreditation Manager from the Wilmette (Ill.) Police Department.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, in City Council chambers, 221 E. Main St. Persons wishing to speak but who cannot appear at the public information session may provide comments to the assessment team by telephone between 1 and 3 p.m. on Aug. 15, at 512-218-6650.

Comments offered during public information session must address the Round Rock Police Department’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. Appearance and telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes.

The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, visit offices and other facilities where the assessment team can verify the Department is in constant and continuous compliance with nearly 400 of the Commission’s state-of –the-art professional standards. The standards are available to view by contacting the Commission at the address listed below.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Department’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation may write to the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, 13575 Heathcote Blvd. Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155.

Upon completion of their review, the Commission’s assessors report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the Department is to be re-accredited.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., please write the Commission at 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-2215 or call 713-352-4225 or www.calea.org.