CLAREMONT — The police department is hoping to be recognized soon for achieving national accreditation standards, a goal the department has been working for the past several years, Capt. Mark Chase told the City Council on Wednesday.

This week, a team of assessors from the Virginia-based Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., plans to examine all aspects of the police department policies and procedures, management, operations and support services.

The department has to be found in compliance with 177 standards in order to gain accreditation status.

“This accreditation is saying we meet all these standards,” Chase told the City Council. “It’s a program that a lot of departments strive for and a lot of departments don’t make.”

In a press release on Friday, Police Chief Alexander Scott said, “CALEA’s standards seek to establish the best professional practices, and address (1) life, health and safety issues, (2) critical legal issues, and (3) conditions that reduce risk and high liability exposure.”

These are standards the department has been meeting for years, Chase said. “Now we’re proving it.”

As part of the onsite assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.

Comments can also be left at 558-1881 on Tuesday between 1 and 3 p.m.

Public meeting and 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 at the police station.

Written comments can also be submitted to Commission of Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320 Gainesville, VA. 20155.

mpierce@newstote.com