TN Department of Safety & Homeland Security Seeks Fifth Re-Accreditation

NASHVILLE--- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons and Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Tracy Trott announced today that a team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will conduct a comprehensive, on-site assessment of the department from September 6 through September 8, 2011. Assessors will examine the department’s policy and procedures, management, operations and support services.

 

“It’s important that the citizens of Tennessee view our agency as one built on professionalism, trust and respect,” said Commissioner Bill Gibbons. “We expect the CALEA accreditation process to demonstrate our transparency and commitment to professional excellence in public safety and that the Tennessee Highway Patrol as the finest law enforcement agency in the state.”

 

As part of the on-site assessment, department employees and members of the public are invited to offer comments directly to the assessment team by calling 615-251-1738 between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (CDT) on Thursday, September 8. Remarks are limited to 10 minutes and must address the department’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. Those who wish to offer written comments can submit those to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. at 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155.

 

The Department must comply with more than 400 standards in order to gain accredited status. Colonel Trott believes that accreditation guarantees the agency is among the best-qualified and trained law enforcement agencies in the country. “We voluntarily submit to intensive scrutiny and peer review in the CALEA process to demonstrate our accountability. Ultimately, accreditation ensures the Tennessee Highway Patrol is an efficient and professionally-run agency, and in turn, earns the support from all Tennesseans,” added Trott.  

 

The CALEA assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies from out-of-state. The assessors will review agency operations, examine written materials, interview individuals and report its findings to the Commission for final determination of accreditation status. While accreditation is awarded on a three-year cycle, the department must maintain compliance with applicable standards during that time. A copy of the CALEA standards is available at the eight THP District Headquarters across the state.

 

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA^®) was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement's major executive associations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), National Sheriffs' Association (NSA), and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).

 

For more information about CALEA, please visit http://www.calea.org/