Full Notification

Newton Police Chief David L. MacDonald is pleased to announce that a team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will arrive in Newton on November 28, 2016 to examine all aspects of the Newton Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services.

Verification by the team that the Newton Police Department meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to maintain Accreditation – a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session to be held Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at Newton Police Department Community Room, W. Newton at 6:00 p.m. The session will last as long as necessary to ensure that everyone present have an opportunity to be heard.

If agency personnel or members of the public are unable to attend the public information session they may offer comments directly to the assessors by calling (617) 796-3652 on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dialing that number reaches the assessment team directly on an unrecorded line.

Telephone comments as well as the public information session are limited to ten (10) minutes maximum per person and must address the Newton Police Department’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Newton Police Department Accreditation Office. To request a copy or to ask any other accreditation related questions, please call Captain Dennis P. Berube, Accreditation Manager at (617) 796-2107.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments regarding Newton Police Department’s ability to comply with the CALEA standards may send them to The Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia, 22030-2215.

The Newton Police Department is required to comply with 484 standards in order to maintain accredited status. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, observe police department operations and visit offices or other places where compliance with standards can be verified. The Assessment Team is composed of two law enforcement professionals from similar but out-of-state agencies. CALEA has selected the following assessors to verify compliance during the on-site:

 Chief Glen Allen North Carolina Dept. of Public Safety (Team Leader)

 Chief Tim Potts University of Mississippi (Team Member)

At the completion of the on-site review, the assessors will submit a detailed written report of their findings to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted continued accredited status. Accreditation is for three years during which the agency must continue to meet all applicable standards and submit annual reports to the Commission.

For further information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., please write to the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320
Gainesville, Virginia 20155 or call (703) 352-4225.