J. Grayson Robinson

The vast majority of the public safety agencies in what might be considered the 'CALEA service area' (Canada, United States, Barbados and Mexico) serve smaller communities. Unfortunately, not enough smaller agencies have taken advantage of the unique opportunities and sustainable benefits associated with the accomplishment of CALEA Accreditation. For many years, the impacts of global economic downturns have required public safety organizations, as well as private and public sector entities, to "do much more with much less." While many suggest that the economy is turning and showing signs of growth, most public safety agencies continue to face the difficult challenges of serving ever changing communities, without enhanced or adequate public safety resources. Read on. 

This month's article focuses on the smaller sized agencies engaged in CALEA Accreditation programming which, maybe surprisingly, account for a significant percentage of our client agencies. The following issues are ones more commonly faced by small agencies; however, the issues could be applicable to agencies of any size. Read on.   

Goals Thought to be Unattainable, Reached Through CALEA Process

Brian K. Childress

Chief of Police

Valdosta, Georgia Police Department

In the early 1990s, the Valdosta Police Department was often criticized; accused of corruption, lack of professionalism, and poor training. In 1995, then interim City Manager Larry H. Hanson hired a new police chief and issued a mandate to build a more professional, community oriented police agency that would be viewed as one of the most respected law enforcement agencies, not only in Georgia, but the entire country. Once named the permanent City Manager, Hanson and the police department staff used the CALEA® accreditation process as a roadmap to improve the department. Read on. 

The conference host, the Illinois PAC, is providing complimentary bus transportation between Chicago O'Hare Airport and the conference hotel, the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, for all conference attendees' arrivals and departures. You must be signed up to take advantage of this generous transportation service.

If you have not yet done so and you are planning on using this service, please complete the online airport transportation form located on the host website now. Once you have signed up, you will be sent a confirmation email that your travel information was received and a second follow up email directing you to the location of the I-PAC booth (Terminal 2 baggage claim area- lower level). 

Want to attract quality applicants for your public safety positions? CALEA offers a FREE job announcements service to all public safety organizations (law enforcement, communications, training academy and campus security agencies). Any agency can advertise their job openings on the CALEA website under the Career Opps tab. The announcement runs for 60 days and there is no limit to the number of announcements that an agency may post.

Ads on the CALEA website typically are viewed my hundreds of public safety professionals who are among some of the best trained, highly qualified and experienced in the industry. Be sure your agency takes advantage of this complimentary service and then spread the word to other agencies that job announcements posted on the CALEA website is an effective way to attract quality applicants.