Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 26, 1993 TAG: 9305260212
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
A three-member assessment team is in town this week to review the Blacksburg department's work toward meeting more than 900 standards established by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc.
The Fairfax-based national organization recognizes police departments that have attained professional excellence in policies and procedures, management, operations and support services.
Mayor Roger Hedgepeth told the assessors that town officials believe the department is "on the cutting edge of law enforcement," with successful programs aimed at crime prevention, public safety and public relations.
Town Manager Ron Secrist said the department embodies the town's mission statement that includes a goal of sustaining the security and quality of life.
Town surveys of residents repeatedly show a high degree of satisfaction with the department, Secrist said.
Danny O'Malley, chief of police in Evendale, Ohio, is the leader of the three-member assessment team.
O'Malley was not concerned by the lack of speakers Monday, noting that large turnouts generally happen when there are problems or complaints. He praised several uniformed officers for showing interest in the accreditation process and attending the hearing.
"This appears to be an excellent police department that really is in touch with this community," he said after the public hearing.
He and the other team members, Capt. Jay Murphy of Cape Coral, Fla., and Dane Smith, administrative assistant chief in Skokie, Ill., will stay in Blacksburg through Thursday.
Besides holding the public hearing and reviewing the department's compliance with accreditation standards, the three men will ride with police officers and talk to residents to gain a broad understanding of the Police Department's operations.
The team then makes a report to the full accreditation board. Blacksburg should learn in late July or early August if it will receive accreditation.
Blacksburg was first visited by an assessment team in September. The department was not granted accreditation when the agency reviewed the team's report in November, but accreditation was not denied, either, Chief Don Carey said.
Secrist said that the town was not meeting about 4 percent of the standards.
Steve Mitchell, program manager for the accreditation agency, said the department lacked documentation that showed it complied with everything.
Participating in the accreditation program is a voluntary process, but is a highly prized recognition of professional excellence, according to a department news release.
If accredited, Blacksburg would join more than 220 other departments - including Roanoke County's - that have met the hundreds of professional standards the Virginia-based commission has established.
Accreditation is for five years, and annual reports must be submitted to demonstrate continued compliance with the standards.
Blacksburg residents who did not attend the public hearing but would like to make comments to the assessment team may call 961-1844 today between 1 and 4 p.m.
by CNB