
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, September 16, 1995                   TAG: 9509180042
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-7   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Short

TECH POLICE SEEK ACCREDITATION

The Virginia Tech Police Department is striving to join three other Southwest Virginia law enforcement agencies by becoming a nationally accredited professional police organization.

Assessors from the Fairfax-based Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. will arrive at Tech today to begin verifying that the department meets the commission's standards for policy, procedures, management, operations and support services.

Participation in the program is voluntary, but accreditation is a highly prized recognition of professional excellence.

The assessors will review written materials, conduct interviews and visit offices. Tech must meet 348 of 436 standards to gain accredited status.

A public information session will be held Monday at 7 p.m. in the Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center, where department employees and community members may comment on Tech's ability to met the standards.

Those unable to attend Monday's sessions may call 231-3354 on Tuesday, 1-5 p.m. to make comments.

Once the assessors complete their review, they will make a report to the full commission, which will decide if Tech is to be accredited.

The Blacksburg, Roanoke and Roanoke County police departments already are accredited.

by CNB