"A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), will arrive on August 13, 2011 to examine all aspects of the Willowbrook Police Department's policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services," Chief Mark Shelton announced today.
"Verification by the team that the Willowbrook Police Department meets the Commission's state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation -- a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence," he said.
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, August 15, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. The session will be conducted in the Willowbrook Village Hall Council Chambers located at 7760 Quincy Street, Willowbrook, IL.
If for some reason an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, they may do so by telephone. The public may call 630 514 3657 on Monday, August 15th between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Telephone comments, as well as 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 is available at the Willowbrook Police Department. The local contact is Deputy Chief Paul Oggerino at 630 325 2808.
Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Willowbrook Police Department's ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155.
The Willowbrook Police Department has to comply with 479 standards in order to gain accredited status. Chief Mark Shelton advised that the accreditation process is a method to measure the professionalism of a police department.
The Accreditation Program Manager for Willowbrook Police Department is Deputy Chief Paul Oggerino. He said the assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar but out-of-state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and other places where compliance can be witnessed. The assessors are Team Leader Chief Michael Yaniero, Jacksonville, NC Police Department, and Team Member Lt. Christopher Ciuci, Berlin, CT Police Department. "Once the Commission's assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status," Deputy Chief Paul Oggerino stated.
Accreditation is for three years, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.
For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., please write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155; or call 703.352.4225.