A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) arrive on Sunday, December 3, 2017, to examine all aspects of the Newark Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services.

“Verification by the team that the Newark Police Department meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” says Newark Police Chief Paul M. Tiernan.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. The session will be conducted at the City of Newark Municipal Building, city council chambers, located at 220 South Main Street, Newark, DE.

If, for some reason, an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the Assessment Team, he/she may do so by telephone. The public may call (302) 453-8741 on Monday, December 4, 2017 between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Comments will be received by the Assessment Team.

Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Newark Police Department located at 220 South Main Street, Newark, DE. Local contact is Sergeant Gerald J. Bryda at (302) 366-7100 x3129.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Newark Police Department’s ability to comply with standards for accreditation may send them to the Commission on Accreditation for

Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA, 20155.

The Newark Police Department must comply with over 484 standards in order to gain accredited status.  The Program Manager from CALEA for the Newark Police Department is Mr. John Gregory. The Assessment Team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar  out-of-state agencies.  The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and places where compliance can be witnessed. The assessors are:

            Team Leader: Deputy Chief Jason Moen, Auburn Maine Police Department

            Team Member: Mr. John Tucker, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division

Accreditation is for three years, during which the agency must submit annual reports 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. (CALEA), write to 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA, 20155; or call (703) 352-4225.