TRANSIT POLICE RE-ACCREDITATION ASSESSMENT TEAM INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT

BOSTON – A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®) will arrive on Sunday, October 27, 2013, to examine all aspects of the MBTA Transit Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services. The MBTA Transit Police was last assessed in April 2011.

“Verification by the team that the MBTA Transit Police Department meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence”, MBTA Transit Police Chief Paul MacMillan said.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments to the assessment team by calling 617-222-1154 on Monday, October 28, 2013, between the hours of 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. A copy of the standards is available by contacting Officer Roberta Spinosa at 617-222-1014, at MBTA Transit Police Headquarters.

“Compliance with the Accreditation Standards is an indication that the MBTA Transit Police Department meets professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery.” Chief MacMillan added.

The assessment team is composed of public safety practitioners from out-of-state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and locations where compliance can be witnessed.

The assessors are Chief Albert Britnell, from the Charleston County Aviation Authority Police Department, Charleston, South Carolina and Mr. Nicolas Sasseville, from the Aeroports de Montreal, Dorval, Quebec.

Once the CALEA assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.
For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., please write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainsville, Virginia, 20155; or call (800) 368-3757 or (703) 352-4225 or www.calea.org.

MBTA TRANSIT POLICE CONTACT:
RSpinosa@mbta.com