Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509210041
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Vinton Police Chief Ricky Foutz said he expects his department to be one of the first to be fully certified under the state program within the next year.
Foutz is one of 10 police and sheriff officials who drew up the minimum standards for training, hiring and conduct of law enforcement agencies for the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission, which was created in 1993.
He outlined the program for the Vinton Town Council Tuesday. At his request, Council agreed to implement the standards once the department meets all requirements.
The commission has drawn up 209 standards covering 51 policy areas.
Foutz said the Vinton department began moving toward accreditation earlier and has met most of the requirements. The Salem Police Department, said Capt. Jim Bryant, is looking into accreditation under the program.
Foutz said being accredited nationally like departments in Roanoke and Roanoke County may cost up to $50,000, a prohibitive amount for small departments like Vinton. The state program is expected to cost Vinton less than $1,000.
In a related matter, council authorized the Police Department to apply for a grant to buy computers to tie the town into a statewide uniform crime reporting system.
The grant, from the federal and state governments, will pay all but $6,250 of the $25,000 cost.
Foutz said that under state law, all Virginia law enforcement agencies must be in the system by 1999.
At the beginning of its meeting, council members recognized the 15 members of the Vinton Heat, a Virginia Dixie Belles girls' fast pitch softball team that won the state tournament. Tom Stuckey is the head coach.
by CNB