USM University Police Invites Community Input at Call-In Session, Public Hearing October 25

Fri, 10/15/2021 - 01:44pm | By: David Tisdale

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) University Police Department (UPD) seeks input from members of the university community during a call-in session Monday, October 25 from 11 a.m. - noon by dialing 601.266.4354 as part of benchmarks the department must meet to maintain accreditation standards set by the Commission on Accreditation for Law enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®).

Another opportunity for public input will be available during an online public hearing set for 5 p.m. Monday, October 25 via Zoom. Comments during the call-in session or online public hearing are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency's ability to comply with CALEA standards.

The local contact for both events is USM PD Sgt. David Byrd, who may be reached by phone at 601.266.5958 or via email at dkbyrdFREEMississippi.

Assessors from CALEA® will later this month examine all aspects of UPD’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services. Verification by the team that UPD meets the Commission's state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation, widely considered among law enforcement agencies as a highly valued recognition of public safety professional excellence.

CALEA assessors are public safety practitioners from similar, but out-of-state, agencies, who will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and other locations where compliance can be witnessed.

“Accreditation is a public recognition of the continual efforts and dedication of all our UPD employees,” said UPD Chief Rusty Keyes.

Access information for the online public hearing on Zoom is as follows:

Topic: CALEA Public Hearing

Time: October 25, 2021 5 P.M. Central Time (U.S. and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://usm-edu.zoom.us/j/89713417491?pwd=ZmxEZW5MTVFJMW5kRE1mVWpvdlVGZz09

Meeting ID: 897 1341 7491

Passcode: 14603980

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Find your local number: https://usm-edu.zoom.us/u/kcoHR0uIrp

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the UPD’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation should send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA ®), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155, or by visiting www.calea.org.