CALEA assessment team finishes work

The department will know in March whether it has achieved its goal.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Accreditation of the township police department by a national law enforcement agency would increase accountability and reduce liability, says the leader of the assessment team.
"On the surface, you could say that it professionalizes the department," said Kevin Simpson, deputy chief on the Hinsdale, Ill., Police Department.
Simpson is the leader of the team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., or CALEA, that's been evaluating the police department since Sunday.
Other team members are from police departments in Rockville, Md., and Egg Harbor, N.J. The team concludes its assessment and leaves today.
If it receives accreditation, Boardman would be the first Mahoning Valley community to do so.
Accreditation provides accountability for the department, alerting its officials to deficiencies or problems that need to be addressed before a crisis crops up, Simpson said.
Boardman started to pursue accreditation about three years ago. Assessors examine the department's conformity to 440 standards that address all aspects of police work. The team ensures the policies contained in the standards and the proof of compliance are in place.
What they did
The assessors spent part of Tuesday in panel sessions with members of the department. The sessions allow the department to let different special units shine, Simpson said.
"They tell us how they do their job and demonstrate that they're meeting standards," he said.
Panels included presentations by the department's communications and community policing officer, street crimes unit and other special programs.
Besides holding the panel sessions and a public hearing Monday and reviewing department files, assessors will complete ride-alongs with various officers before concluding with an exit interview today with Chief Jeffrey Patterson when they'll suggest areas that may be improved.
As team leader, Simpson will make a recommendation to CALEA, which will make the decision. The department will learn in March whether it achieved accreditation.
Simpson has been an assessor for two years, and Boardman is his sixth assessment.
"I'm very impressed with not only the police department, but the township as a whole," Simpson said.
Public hearing
Those who attended a public hearing Monday about the department spoke highly of it, he said. Attendees included representatives from state, federal and area law enforcement agencies and the general public.
Other law enforcement agencies spoke highly of the department's communication and cooperation, Simpson said.
People's comments show "pride and passion in the township," the team leader said. "From the trustees to residents to representatives from other agencies, the comments were all favorable."