MSU Police Department seeks input in reaccreditation process

Contact: Sammy McDavid

STARKVILLE, Miss.--An assessment team from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. comes to Mississippi State Feb. 16 as part of the University Police Department's current reaccreditation effort.

"The assessors will be on campus for several days to examine all aspects of the department's policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services," said Chief Georgia Lindley.

In 2005, the MSUPD became the first at a Mississippi institution of higher learning to gain national accreditation by the Virginia-based organization. At the time, it also was only the third law enforcement unit in the state to hold CALEA's highly coveted stamp of approval.

As part of the 2008 reaccreditation process, members of the campus and local communities are invited to offer comments about the department. The public program will begin at 7 p.m. on the 18th in 100 McCool Hall, also known as the Rogers Auditorium.

Persons desiring to comment, but unable to attend the night session, may do so by telephone 1-3 p.m., also on the 18th. Assessors will take the calls at 662-325-5503.

Whether in person or by phone, comments will be limited to 10 minutes per person and must only address the department's ability to comply with CALEA's standards, which are available for viewing at department headquarters in the Butler-Williams Building (former alumni house). Lt. Kenneth Rogers is the contact officer.

Also, persons who would rather provide written comments about the department's ability to meet the standards may write in care of: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030-2215. The e-mail address is calea@calea.org.

For additional information, contact Chief Lindley or Lt. Rogers at 662-325-2121.

For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.