Police department goes national for second straight time
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By Allison Brophy Champion
Published: April 21, 2008
The Culpeper Police Department has proved once again that it is at the top of its field.
For the second time in three years, the Culpeper PD has earned national/international accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement or CALEA, a Fairfax-based nonprofit regulatory group made up of chiefs, sheriffs, elected officials and other law enforcement representatives from across the country.
Culpeper is one of only 15 CALEA-accredited programs in Virginia and has met the same standards of much larger forces, including the Virginia Beach, Alexandria, Hampton and Lynchburg police departments.
In order to achieve international accreditation, Culpeper, like the other agencies, had to meet most of the 459 standards in the areas of policy and procedure, administration, operations and support services.
Of the 459 standards, 287 must be met along with 80 percent of the remaining requirements.
“International accreditation is a benchmark for any law enforcement agency,” said Culpeper Police Chief Scott Barlow, who joined the police force a year ago following a 30-plus-year police career in Newport News.
“It shows our commitment not only as a police department but also as a town that we want to provide the best service possible.”
Like in 2005, when the Culpeper PD was first accredited, Capt. Ricky Pinksaw oversaw the process as the department’s accreditation manager.
The process began in October when out-of-state police executives scrutinized department files and records, interviewed employees and observed policies to ensure the department was adhering to CALEA standards, according to a news release the town put out last week.
Town citizens were also given the opportunity to comment on police operations as part of the review.
Accreditation takes place every three years and looks at things like: preparedness, accounting systems, command protocol, privacy and security of records, code of conduct and appearance and community involvement.
CALEA officials will present a certificate of re-accreditation to the Culpeper PD at the May 13 Town Council meeting.
Allison Brophy Champion can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 101 or
Accredited Virginia police departments
Alexandria: 441 staff
Ashland: 33
Blacksburg: 70
Bristol: 81
Culpeper: 54
Fairfax, city: 85
Hampton: 385
Herndon: 67
Lynchburg: 222
Manassas: 112
Newport News: 573
Roanoke, city: 310
Staunton: 69
Virginia Beach: 928
Williamsburg: 47
SOURCE: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( cagney1 ) on April 21, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Bravo Culpeper PD! I’m not sure why J Billings thinks that the only consolidation alternative is to replace the Culpeper PD with the Sheriff. I look forward to a consolidated government where the Culpeper PD becomes a new COUNTY PD and a smaller Sheriff’s office takes care of its State mandated duties.
Posted by ( semper fi mom ) on April 21, 2008 at 11:49 am
it’s “51” not “54” - not that that’s a huge deal. It’s a huge accomplishment and even better because they’ve maintained that standard and continue to strive for being better. The authorized size of the PD and their salaries are all public information available through Town records, etc.
Posted by ( anmlluvr ) on April 21, 2008 at 11:37 am
It’s a shame to have such an upstanding dept. to serve and protect with such a substandard facility to work in. I would support a tax increase to facilitate this before giving the school board any more money. Congratulations CPD.
Posted by ( J Billings ) on April 21, 2008 at 7:29 am
It’s a shame we have Town Council candidates like Beckett who want to do away with the town and replace a nationally recognized police department with a completely political sheriff’s office.