Input Sought for Sheriff's Accreditation Assessment

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) is scheduled to examine all aspects of the Carroll County policy and procedures, management, operations and support services, according to the Sheriff's Office website.

The assessors will work to verify that the Carroll County Sheriff's Office meets the Commission's standards. This is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Monday, April 16 at 7 p.m. The session will be conducted in the public hearing room at the Carroll County government office building, 225 N. Center Street.

Those who would like to comment but cannot attend the meeting can call the CALEA assessment team directly at 410-386-2600 on Monday, April 16 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session will be limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency's ability to comply with CALEA standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Sheriff's office or by contacting Corporal Jon Light at 410-386-2732.

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office received accreditation from CALEA in July 2006. Law Enforcement Accreditation Status is granted for three years, during which accredited agencies must submit annual reports proving continued compliance with the standards under which it was accredited.

The assessors are Chief Deputy Patricia Garrison from Charleston County Sheriff's Office in South Carolina and Commander Greg Jones from the Lexington Division of Police in Kentucky. Once the review of the sheriff's office is complete, a report will be sent to the full commission, who will then determine if the Carroll County Sheriff's Office is to be granted accredited status.

This information was taken from a news release, posted on the Carroll County Sheriff website.