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During the month of December 2008, the Miami Police Department
(MPD) underwent an extensive on-site assessment to obtain reaccreditation
status from the Commission on Accreditation for Law
Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The accreditation process
offered the MPD an opportunity to voluntarily demonstrate its
ability to comply with an established set of professional standards.
These standards are designed to improve the delivery of law
enforcement services through self-regulation.
The on-site assessment team consisted of law enforcement
professionals from the Peele Regional Police Department
(Ontario, Canada), the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the
Cincinnati Police Depar tment. Prior to the on-site assessment,
more than one hundred files were submitted to the assessors for
an off-site review. The assessment team visited the Department
from December 7 through December 11, 2008, to conduct the
on-site audit which consisted of: an agency static display, an onsite
review of written policies and procedures, submitted proofs,
interviews and interactions with agency personnel, a public
hearing, and an exit interview with the Chief of Police.
During the on-site assessment, the Department showcased a
variety of operational vehicles and equipment through a static
display. The vehicles ranged from police bicycles to a selfcontained
mobile command post. Some of the vehicles and
equipment showcased were: Segways, bicycles, motorcycles,
police patrol vehicles, a SWAT van and equipment, Bomb Squad
vehicles, Crime Scene vehicles, K-9 vehicles and dog, a Marine
Patrol vessel, and a Aviation Detail helicopter. The Department
also took this opportunity to showcase its personnel.
The assessors were taken on a tour of the Headquarters building
where they visited the Communications Section, Property Unit,
and the Criminal Investigations Section. Throughout the week,
they also visited the Nor th and South District Stations, where
they participated in “ride alongs” with officers to get a first hand
look at the manner in which service is provided to the citizens
and visitors.
On December 9th, a public information forum was conducted at
Booker T. Washington High School to allow comments from citizens
on the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. During
the session, citizens praised the per formance, cooperation,
enthusiasm and professionalism of the employees.
The Chief of Police met with the assessors on December 11th
and was informed that the Miami Police Depar tment would be
recommended for re-accreditation. The Department received its
official re-accreditation certificate on March 21, 2009. |
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