KPD e-News Release: K.P.D. Invites Public Comment for Upcoming CALEA Reaccreditation Assessment

	Kingsport Police Department David Quillin, Chief of Police 200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com
NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT:		K.P.D. Invites Public Comment for Upcoming CALEA Reaccreditation Assessment
DATE:		December 2, 2020

GENERAL NARRATIVE
The Kingsport Police Department has been accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) for 28 consecutive years and currently holds the distinction of Advanced Meritorious Accreditation with Excellence. K.P.D. is scheduled for a virtual on-site CALEA assessment on December 7-9, 2020. In order to achieve reaccreditation, the Kingsport Police Department must demonstrate that it meets professional standards as established by CALEA. The CALEA Accreditation programs provide public safety agencies with an opportunity to voluntarily meet an established set of professional standards, which require: Comprehensive and uniform written directives that clearly define authority, performance, and responsibilities Reports and analyses to make fact-based and informed management decisions. Preparedness to address natural or man-made critical incidents Community relationship-building and maintenance Independent review by subject matter experts Continuous pursuit of excellence through annual reviews and other assessment measures As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a virtual public information session scheduled on *December 8, 2020 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The session will be conducted via Zoom Video Conferencing.* *The public link is:* https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88052800163?pwd=Qmg1aStqZkdyZTN6dVU5dXg2dTdZUT09 Meeting ID: 880 5280 0163 Passcode: 186768 Agency employees and the public are also invited to offer comments by calling: *423-229-9378 on December 8 2020, between the hours of 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.*Comments will be heard by the Assessment Team. Telephone comments as well as virtual appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. A copy of the standards are available at CALEA.org or by contacting the Kingsport Police Department at 423-224-2411 or 423-343-9805. Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Kingsport Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia 20155.