Media Release

CONTACT:

Captain Kelly W. Faris

5303 Chrysler Way, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

(301) 780-8639

kwfaris@co.pg.md.us

 

            ACCREDITATION ASSESSMENT TEAM INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT

Upper Marlboro/Prince George’s County, Maryland, September 30, 2021 - An Assessment Team from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), will  examine all aspects of the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Sheriff Melvin C. High announced today.

Verification by the Assessment Team that the Office of the Sheriff meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain re-accreditation - a highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence, the Sheriff said.

As part of the assessment, Agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments by telephone on October 5, 2021, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.  The public is invited to call (314) 482-8362, to speak to a member of the Assessment Team.

Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the Agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Office of the Sheriff, 5303 Chrysler Way, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The local contact is Regina A. Taylor, (240) 695-6296.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA®), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155.

The Office of the Sheriff is required to comply with CALEA standards in order to regain accredited status, Sheriff High said. “Our ability to maintain our standing as a best-practices agency is central to our mission. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accreditation designation is a testament to our commitment to well-defined policies, processes, and procedures which, as a result, enhances our preparedness to meet our citizens’ needs and expectations.”

Accreditation is a four year process, during which the agency must submit annual reports, and participate in annual remote web-based assessments 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 Boulevard, Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia 20155; or call (703) 352-4225 or email calea@calea.org.