Assessment Team Invites Public Comments About the Hinsdale Police Department

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies will arrive on April 2 to examine all aspects of the Hinsdale Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services, Chief Bradley Bloom announced Tuesday.

According to Chief Bloom, the Hinsdale Police Department must comply with 464 standards in order to remain accredited.

“This has been a long and sometimes challenging process, but one that has certainly contributed to the professionalism of the department and our ability to deliver quality services to our residents,” said Bloom.

Verification by the team that the Hinsdale Police Department meets the Commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to remain accredited.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session April 4 at 5 p.m. The session will be conducted at Memorial Hall.

People who are unable to attend the public information session, but still would like to provide comments to the assessment team may do so by phone at (630) 417-5703 on Monday, April 4, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. A copy of the standards for accreditation is available at the Hinsdale Police Department, and people wishing to see it can contact Deputy Chief Mark Wodka.

The Accreditation Manager for the Hinsdale Police Department is Richard Haake. Haake said that the assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from state-of-the-art agencies.

The assessors will review written materials, interview department personnel and tour the Hinsdale Police Department.

The assessors who will be conducting the review are Capt. Jason Cassalia from the Manlius Police Department in Manlius, NY and Sergeant Charles Groover from the Covington Police Department, Covington, GA.   

“Once the Commission’s assessors complete the review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status again,” said Haake.

Accreditation is for three years, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with the standards under which they were initially accredited.

More information on the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement is available by writing the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155; or calling 1-800-368-3757 or 703-352-4225.