Return to Main Menu

Accreditation assessment team invites public comment A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA), will arrive on Aug. 17 to examine all aspects of MUSC's Department of Public Safety’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services. “Verification by the team that the Department of Public Safety meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to maintain its current accredited status—a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” said Robert T. Brown, director, Department of Public Safety. As a part of the onsite assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments by calling  792-3014 from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 18. Comments will be taken by the assessment team. Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Department of Public Safety Building, 101 Doughty Street, Charleston SC 29425. The local contact is Debbie Wagenbrenner, accreditation program manager for public safety, 792-1986. Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Department of Public Safety’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to the CALEA, 10306 Eaton Place, Suite 320, Fairfax, VA, 22030-2201. The phone number is (800) 368-3757 or (703) 352-4225.  The Department of Public safety has to comply with 351 standards in order to maintain its accredited status.  “Complying with the standards required to maintain accreditation is the only logical course of action for a department such as ours,” Brown said. “The complex environment of the Medical University of South Carolina campus dictates the necessity for our department to conduct itself in a professional and ethical manner. While assuring a safe environment through traditional and innovative law enforcement techniques, a focus on customer service is also essential. Service excellence in all aspects of law enforcement is our goal. Our continual effort to achieve this status is enhanced by the requirements of accreditation by CALEA.” Wagenbrenner said the assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar, but out-of-state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit officers and other places where compliance can be witnessed. Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted re-accreditation. Accreditation is for three years, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited. Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.