Bristol Police Seek Public Comment During Accreditation Process

BRISTOL, RI —As the agency seeks accreditation, the Bristol Police Department will be holding a public information session to allow members of the community to offer comment. Members of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies will be in attendance.

The commission members will arrive in Bristol on August 19 to review the department's procedures, management, operations and support services, as part of the accreditation process. Another part of that process is soliciting comment from the public.

The information session will be held at 6 p.m. on August 20 in the Town Council Chambers in the Bristol Town Hall, at 10 Court St. Anyone who is interested in providing comment but unable to attend can do so by calling 401-253-5443 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on August 19. Comments, both in person and over the phone, will be limited to 10 minutes and must be related to the department's ability to meet accreditation standards. Copies of accreditation standards are available at the police department Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Written comments can be submitted directly to the commission at the following address: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155.

Bristol police lost their state accreditation in March after the Rhode Island Police Accreditation Commission said the department failed to meet its standards.

Accreditation is a voluntary process that police departments undertake to prove adherence to high standards of service. CALEA accreditation is given in four-year terms. During that time, departments must submit annual reports and other documents to prove they are meeting standards.