In just a few days, the St. Joseph Police Department will undergo a strict inspection.

Members of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA) will assess the department based on four basic areas of standards: policy and procedures, administration, operations and support services.

Sgt. Richard Wall has spent the last several months preparing the department by cleaning, organizing and mailing file information to the assessors.

“We’re kind of doing house cleaning right now,” Mr. Wall said. “We just got done cleaning up the back lot today.”

The assessors arrive Saturday and will begin their process with the department Sunday. With so little time left, Mr. Wall said he has no areas for concern.

“The mail-off folders I sent out a few months ago have all, so far, come back with good comments,” Mr. Wall said. “We’re looking really good as an agency so far.”

If the department passes the inspection, it will be the third time the St. Joseph Police Department has reached an accredited status. The Police Department is the only agency in Buchanan County to have been awarded that status.

As part of the three-day inspection, the assessors will give members of the public an opportunity to express their thoughts on the standards of the Police Department. There will be telephone and face-to-face opportunities to express concerns. Mr. Wall said response has been low in past years.

“Usually we don’t get a big response, and I’m not sure if that is good or bad,” Mr. Wall said. “In 2005, I think around 11 people showed up for the public forum, and only six to eight phone calls came in.”

The assessors will spend their three days doing ride-alongs, meeting members of the department, sitting in with the communications center staff and sorting through paperwork.

If the department passes the inspection, Mr. Wall, Chief Chris Connally and other city officials will travel to Tulsa, Okla., in September to accept the award.

Megan Tilk can be reached at megantilk@npgco.com.

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CHANCE TO RESPOND

Residents wishing to voice comments regarding the St. Joseph Police Department’s standards have three options.

A public information session will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday. The session will be held in the third-floor Council Chambers at City Hall.

Telephone comments also are welcome during the assessment. On Tuesday from 8 to 11 a.m., the assessment team will take calls placed to (816) 273-2549.

Written comments can be directed to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. at 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030.

For questions about CALEA and the accreditation process, contact Sgt. Richard Wall at 271-4709.