GREENVILLE — Have an opinion about the Greenville Police Department?
On August 3, the public is invited to attend a 7 p.m. meeting being held in the City Council Chambers of the Greenville Municipal Building, located at 100 Public Square, to share their thoughts on the department.
The meeting is being held as part of the department’s accreditation with the with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).
CALEA is an independent, nonprofit (501[c]3) corporation with the purpose of improving the delivery of public safety services.
Assessors from the organization will be present at the meeting to observe public commentary as part of the accreditation process. They will also be walking through the city at random to discuss police performance with local citizens.
As part of the assessment, the Greenville Police Department is being judged on four basic areas: policy and procedures; administration; operations; and support services.
Chief of Police Dennis L. Butts said that the department has to “comply with over 482 standards to gain accredited status.”
“We’ve been continuously accredited since we began the process in 1992,” said Butts. “Public input has always been part of the review process.”
He added, “We’re very proud to be accredited for so long.”
The CALEA accreditation is good for three years’ time. The department must submit annual reports attesting to continued compliance with the standards.
Greenville residents unable to attend the meeting are welcome to submit comments either by phone or in writing.
To offer a comment by phone, citizens may contact the on-site assessment team on August 3, between the hours of 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The number to call is 937-316-1056.
Telephone comments as well as comments delivered in person at the meeting are limited to 10 minutes in length and must address the department’s ability to comply with CALEA standards.
Copies of the standards are available at the Greenville Police Department, 122 West Main Street.
To submit written comments, the public may mail them directly to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc., 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, VA, 20155.
