Aug. 14, 2008    
Vol. 38, No. 371

For more information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, 302-542-6102 or 302-739-9913, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Meets Preliminary Requirements for Re-Accreditation by CALEA

            After an intensive three-day onsite review, assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies determined that the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Enforcement Section meets CALEA’s requirements for re-accreditation, with final approval pending review by the CALEA Agency Review Committee later this year.

“The CALEA accreditation on-site assessment process provides the public and DNREC administrators with immediate feedback on how our agency is performing, enabling this agency to excel at the highest level when serving and protecting the public while they are enjoying Delaware’s natural resources,” said Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Chief James H. Graybeal.

Though rewarding, that process can be exhausting, Chief Graybeal added. “For three long days, the assessors are looking at every aspect and function of our organization to determine whether we are in compliance to their national standards,” he said.

            Following a final meeting with Enforcement officials last night, the preliminary assessors report shows the Enforcement Section is in compliance with 361 CALEA standards, with 99 standards not applicable because they are not functions of the agency. The report will be reviewed in hearings at the CALEA Conference in December.

While they are waiting for the final review and, with final approval, the Certificate of Accreditation, Chief Graybeal said they have already received some good comments from their assessors. “The CALEA assessors, after interviewing other state and federal agencies, received very positive feedback on our agency’s professionalism and our willingness to partner with other agencies to get the job done,” he said.  

            Nationwide, nearly 600 law enforcement agencies are currently CALEA-accredited. In addition to Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, eight other Delaware law enforcement agencies are accredited: the Delaware State Police, New Castle County Police, the Delaware River and Bay Authority Police, the University of Delaware Department of Public Safety and municipal police in Dover, Bethany Beach, Newark and Wilmington.

Delaware’s Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section is currently the only fish and wildlife law enforcement agency in the country to earn this distinction. The small, 28-agent agency was first accredited through CALEA in 1994, and will go through the re-accreditation process every three years.

For further information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, at 302-739-9913.

            Created in 1979 through a partnership of police organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriff’s Association, CALEA developed its Law Enforcement Accreditation Program to maintain a body of standards developed by public safety practitioners, and to recognize professional excellence. CALEA’s goals include: strengthening crime prevention and control; formalizing management procedures; improving public service, interagency coordination and cooperation; and increasing community and staff confidence in police agencies.

            To earn accreditation, a law enforcement agency must meet CALEA’s established professional standards, such as having in place comprehensive written directives, preparedness programs for critical incidents and clearly defined standards of authority, performance and responsibility. Benefits include greater accountability, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits and increased support from the community and government officials.