164-2000 LTC
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\\ci.miami-beach.fl.u5
L.T.C. No.164-2000
LETTER TO COMMISSION
August 17, 2000
SUBJECT:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members ofthe City Commission
LawrenlZeA. Le ~
City Mana er .
LAWE RCEMENT ACCREDITATION UPDATE
TO:
FROM:
This Letter to the Commission is to advise the Mayor and City Commission of the status of the
Police Department's quest for International Accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation
of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This voluntary accreditation program for law enforcement
agencies is a joint effort of CALEA, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the National Sheriff's
Association (NSA), and the Police Executive Research Forwn (PERF).
The Commission for Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies was formed in 1979 to establish
a body of standards designed to: (1) increase a law enforcement agency's capabilities to prevent and
control crime; (2) increase an agency's effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of law
enforcement services; (3) increase cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies
and other agencies of the criminal justice system; and (4) increase citizen and employee confidence
in the goals, objectives, policies and practices of the agency. In addition, the Commission was
formed to develop an accreditation process that provides law enforcement agencies an opportunity
to demonstrate voluntarily that they meet an established set of professional standards.
The Police Department initiated this three-year project in October 1997. This project involved a
complete review of every policy and procedure in the Police Department. The Police Department is
just completed the Self-Assessment Phase ofthe project which involved the rewriting of all policies
and procedures to conform with Accreditation Standards. The new Department Manuals were
completed and are in the process of distribution to all employees. Training of employees will begin
in September.
The next step in achieving Accreditation is the On-Site Inspection, which will be conducted
beginning August 26th through August 30th. CALEA is sending three law enforcement professionals
as the Assessment Team. The Assessors are Major James Fox of the Henrico County Virginia Police
Department (Team Leader), Assistant Chief Ivan Takitani of the Maui County Hawaii Police
Department and Lt. Paula Glennon of the Manchester New Hampshire Police Department.
The purpose of the on-site is to independently verify that we have complied with the Standards and
that we are doing what our policies and procedures dictate. The Assessment Team will spend their
',' ...
Letter to the Commission
Law Enforcement Accreditation Update
August 15, 2000
time reviewing the 436 Accreditation files, touring the Police Department's facilities, interviewing
employees at all levels fo the Police Department and holding a Public Hearing.
In addition, the Assessment Team will be seeking public input. This is accomplished in two ways;
there is a public access telephone number available between the hours of 1 :OOPM and 4:00PM on
Monday, August 28, 2000 and there will be a Public Hearing conducted by the Assessors at the City
Commission Chambers at 7:00PM on Monday, August 28, 2000. The public input is a very
important part of the Accreditation process as it provides the Assessors with a feel of the agencies
relationship with the community it serves.
On behalf of our Police Department, we invite the Mayor and City Commission to attend the hearing
and provide input to the Assessment Team regarding the Police Department's goal of attaining
International Accreditation.
We should all take pride in this significant achievement by our Police Department and particularly
Chief Barreto whose leadership has made this possible.
LAL:~D:PS:MMS
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