Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comment

July 2, 2019

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will arrive July 8, 2019 to examine all aspects of the Columbia-Richland Communications Center’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services, City Manager Teresa Wilson announced.

The Columbia-Richland Communications Center has to comply with approximately 213 standards in order to gain re-accredited status. By undergoing this voluntary submittal of intense scrutiny and peer review from the Commission, the Center can prove to the citizens of Columbia and Richland County that their 911 communications center is among the finest in the nation.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the public are invited to offer comments by calling (803) 545-3749. Phone calls will be received on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Telephone comments are limited to ten (10) minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA Public Safety Communication standards. CALEA Public Safety Communications standards are available for review at the Columbia-Richland Communications Accreditation Unit. The Accreditation Manager for the Columbia-Richland Communications Center is Ms. Felicia Prince-Heath.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about Columbia-Richland Communications Center’s ability to meet the CALEA Public Safety Communication standards are requested to write to: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia 20155.

The assessment team is composed of communication practitioners from agencies similar in size and function to the Columbia-Richland Communications Center, but from other states.

The assessors are Commander Gregg Jones of Richmond, KY and Dr. Angel Geoghagan of Chattanooga, TN. The assessors will review written materials, interview employees, and visit the Columbia-Richland Communications Center and other facilities where compliance can be observed. Once the assessors complete their review, they report back to CALEA, which will then decide if the Center is to be awarded re-accredited status.