The York County Department of Public Safety Communications (PSC) has been honored with its third reaccreditation award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) on March 19, 2020. CALEA accreditation benefits law enforcement communication agencies and the communities they serve through a management tool that promotes greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against lawsuits, support from local government officials and in increased community advocacy. PSC is responsible for all 911 calls in York County and dispatches EMS, Fire, Tega Cay Police Dept. and the York County Sheriff’s Office
On November 4th through 6th, 2019, CALEA conducted an onsite assessment for the Dept. of Public Safety Communications. During this assessment a two-member team conducted an in-depth review of over 200 standards and verification of the department’s compliance. There is a web assessment every year along with an onsite visit every four years to complete accreditation assessments.
The onsite included an inspection of the 911 operations center, review of all standards and proof verification of files, interviews with employees and other public safety officials and a review of current technology.
In the conclusion of their assessment, the assessors prepared their findings and forwarded them to the governing Commission and CALEA’S national office. During an online web conference, the Commission Review Committee interviewed PSC’s administrative personnel regarding the agency’s final report. The Review Committee then made a recommendation to the full Commission to re-accredit York County PSC on Thursday March 19, 2020.
###
Background
Criteria for Award
To receive this accredited status the York County Department of Public Safety Communications went through a rigorous three day, onsite assessment process in November 2019, to demonstrate that the agency met the professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery. The Department was required to comply with 200 communication standards to obtain this accreditation.
A team of two assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Incorporated (CALEA), examined all aspects of the York County Department of Public Safety Communications policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services. Verification by the team that the York County Department of Public Safety Communications met the Commission’s state of the art standards was part of the voluntary process to gain accreditation - a highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence.
Commission Approval
The York County Department of Public Safety Communications on Thursday, March 19, 2020, participated in a hearing regarding their accreditation assessment and the full Commission approved the accreditation of the York County Department of Public Safety Communications on Saturday March 21, 2020.
Maintaining Status
To maintain accredited status, the York County Department of Public Safety Communications must continue to comply with over 200 applicable standards. The agency submits annual reports to the Commission attesting to continued compliance and reporting changes or difficulties experienced during the year. At a conclusion of a four year period, the Commission offers the agency an opportunity to repeat the process and to continue accredited status in the future through another onsite assessment.
Benefits of Award
CALEA accreditation benefits law enforcement communication agencies and the communities they serve through a management tool that promotes greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against lawsuits, support from local government officials and in increased community advocacy.