NCCU News Service

DURHAM -- N.C. Central University campus police Chief Willie Williams announced Friday that a team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies will arrive on the NCCU campus on Dec. 5 to examine all aspects of the department's policy and procedures, management, operations and support services.

Verification that the department meets the commission's standards is a voluntary process. The accreditation is a highly prized recognition of professional excellence in law enforcement.

As part of the on-site assessment, university employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 and continue until all speakers have had an opportunity to address the assessment team. The session will be conducted in the Alphonso Elder Student Union, 507 Nelson St.

If you cannot attend the public information session but would like to offer comments call (919) 530-6910 between 2-4 p.m. on Dec. 7.

Telephone comments as well as live public comments are limited to ten minutes and must address the department's ability to comply with CALEA's standards. A copy of the standards is available at the NCCU Police Department, 2010 Fayetteville St.

Written comments should be sent to" Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, Va., 22030-2201.

The accreditation manager for NCCU's Police Department is Charles Simpson. The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar but out-of-state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and other places where compliance can be observed.

Once the assessors complete their review of the NCCU department, they report back to the full commission, which will decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.