[Archived] City of Alexandria Invites Public Comment During Department of Emergency & Customer Communications Reaccreditation Process

For Immediate Release: October 10, 2021

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will receive public comment, in conjunction with a virtual assessment of the City of Alexandria Department of Emergency & Customer Communications (DECC). The department, which obtained its first CALEA accreditation in 2018, is in the process of becoming reaccredited for another four years.

Members of the community, public safety partners and City employees are invited to offer comments at a public information telephone session. Anyone wishing to comment may call the assessment team members on October 18, from 1 to 3 p.m., at 703.746.1980. Comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address DECC’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. Those who wish to submit written comments about DECC’s compliance with accreditation standards may send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155. 

CALEA’s Public Safety Communications Accreditation program requires agencies to comply with internationally recognized standards in the areas of policies and procedures, administration, operations and support services. The accreditation process is used to verify that DECC continues to meet those established standards. The assessment team, composed of public safety practitioners from out-of-state agencies, will audit written materials and interview individuals to review compliance.

Visit alexandriava.gov/DECC to learn more about the Department of Emergency and Customer Communications and the accreditation process. Visit calea.org for more information about the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc.

For media inquiries, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact tiana.allen@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.1867, Virginia Relay, 711.