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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 11, 2005 Medford police prepare for accreditation tests By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune The string of 70-hour work weeks Medford police Sgt. Steve Johnson has put in to get the department ready for its upcoming accreditation assessment have taken their toll. "You see the bags under my eyes?" Johnson said as he waited Saturday for three assessors for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA) to arrive at the Medford airport. It’s been four years since the Medford Police Department disclosed its bid for national accreditation. In that time Johnson has seen the Medford police policy manual go from 2 to 4 inches thick, as the department has tried to adhere to CALEA’s rigorous standards. According to the sergeant, accredited agencies usually see lower insurance premiums and fewer lawsuits. Medford could become the sixth agency in the state to be CALEA certified. That’s if it passes the upcoming week’s array of tests and evaluations. Advertisement The assessors will comb through files and ride along with officers to determine if Medford is ready for accreditation, Johnson said. The sergeant feels the department is up to the challenge. The changes, though widespread, have made the department run more efficiently, Johnson said. Most of the changes were relegated to "administrative" details, Johnson said. "What won’t change is the regular line stuff," he said. "Policemen will still be policemen. All they have to do is know their jobs." Medford police Chief Eric Mellgren and Johnson will hear the final verdict in March when they will travel to Jacksonville, Fla., for a meeting with CALEA commissioners. There they will hear a presentation in which the assessors will give their opinions on whether the department is worthy of accreditation. "It’s not a slam-dunk even at that point," Mellgren said. Mellgren said he has seen agencies denied or given conditional accreditation for one year, during which the department must make the necessary improvements to meet CALEA standards. The process will cost the city approximately $7,500. Accreditation must be renewed every three years, but will run about 40 percent less than the initial cost. Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4459, or e-mail Medford police prepare for accreditation tests ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Advertisement s