Accreditation Agency Seeks Public Opinion On Lexington 911

From the City of Lexington: The Lexington Division of Enhanced 911 is inviting Lexington residents to share their thoughts about the Division during an onsite visit of an accrediting agency Aug. 5 – 7.

If the Division wins accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) it becomes the first nationally accredited 911 agency in the state.

“Accreditation ensures that we meet national standards and best practices in the operation of 911,” said Robert Stack, Division director.

Lexington residents are invited to call CALEA assessors at (859) 280-8127from 1 – 3 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 6, to comment on 911.

This call-in session is just one means for the assessors to determine whether Lexington’s 911 service is in compliance with over 200 standards developed by CALEA and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials.

Please contact Jonelle Patton, Accreditation Manager, at (859) 280-8183 for more information about the CALEA accreditation assessment process.

BACKGROUND

A copy of the CALEA standards is available for review at the Public Safety Operations Center at 115 Cisco Road. Persons wishing to submit written comments about the Lexington Division of Enhanced 911 regarding its ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to send correspondence to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), Attention Lexington E911 Assessment, 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155.

In order to comply with accreditation, the Division must comply with over 200 standards in order to gain accredited status. The accreditation process assists the Division in maintaining a professionally managed 911 center. Emergency Communications Centers, Law Enforcement Agencies, and Public Safety Training Academies accredited through CALEA serve as the benchmark for public safety agencies worldwide.

The Accreditation Program Manager for the Division is Manager Jonelle Patton. Patton reports that this year’s assessment team includes out-of-state public safety communications practitioners with a wealth of 911 experiences. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, inspect radio tower sites, dispatch centers, and additional places where compliance can be observed. The assessment team consists of Team Leader Frances Moore, Communications Administrator, Greenville Police Department, Greenville, South Carolina; and Michelle Powers, Communications Supervisor, Goffstown Police Department, Goffstown, New Hampshire.

Mrs. Patton expects that once the assessors complete their review of the agency, they will favorably advise the full Commission, who will decide if the agency is to be granted accreditation status at its next conference hearings to be held on Nov. 16, 2019, in Covington. Director Robert Stack and Accreditation Manager Jonelle Patton will have to appear before the commission hearing, where accredited status will be reviewed and voted on by the full commission.
Accreditation is for 4 years. The division must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance, and provide continuing proofs of compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) please contact Jonelle Patton at (859) 280-8183, or send correspondence to the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155 or call (703) 352-4225, or visit the web site at www.calea.org.

This press release was produced by the City of Lexington. The views expressed here are the author's own.