Crime & Safety
SSPD Receives Acceditation Given to Less than 1000 Departments Among 18,000
The Sandy Springs Police Department was reviewed for its compliance with law enforcement and safety, operational guidelines, how it safeguards civil rights, community policing, professional partnerships and other policies.
The Sandy Springs Police Department received an accreditation, Tuesday, that only a fraction of law enforcement agencies across the country get.
During last night’s City Council meeting, the SSPD was honored by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
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“Of 18,000 agencies in the country, less than 1000 are accredited,” said CALEA chairman, Chief Lou Dekmar.
The department under went an extensive review on many levels, often unknowingly, Dekmar said.
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“Many agencies are reluctant to have outsiders review their work and their process, and detail any deficiencies,” he said.
The SSPD was reviewed for its compliance with law enforcement and safety, operational guidelines, how it safeguards civil rights, community policing, professional partnerships and other policies.
CALEA was founded in 1979 by the International Organization of the Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Police Executive Research Forum and the National Sheriff’s Association. The organization has 165 standards that address all aspects of law enforcement, Dekmar said.
He credited the department for the trust and support it has developed with citizens in providing services and community policing.
“The Sandy Springs Police Department stands as a leader in professional police services,” he said.
Sandy Springs Police Chief Terry Sult gave credit to the men and women of the department. “Without them - the quality of their efforts every single day – this would not have occurred at all,” Sult said.
CALEA also honored Captain Jim Fraker as accreditation manager. He is responsible for ensuring policies are adhered to, training is current, analyzing trends so see if they need to be changed and appropriate disciplinary action is taken if policies are violated.
“The Sandy Springs Police Department has opened itself up to peer review and scrutiny and as a result will be better and able to serve its community,” Dekmar said.
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