Hamilton County, TN - A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will arrive during the week of November 13, 2016 to examine all aspects of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Sheriff Jim Hammond announced today.

"Verification by the team that Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation-a highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence,”"Sheriff Hammond stated. As part of the assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 beginning at 4:00 pm at the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office West Annex located at 6233 Dayton Boulevard.

If for some reason an individual cannot speak at the public information session, but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, he/she may do so by telephone. The public may call 423-209-8924 on November 15, 2016 between the hours of 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session 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 West Annex located at 6233 Dayton Boulevard. Local contact is Miriam Monzon at 423-209-8953.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office's ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write:

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA) 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155

"The HCSO has to comply with 484 standards in order to gain accredited status," Sheriff Jim Hammond said. 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.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. please write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155; or call (703) 352-4225 or email calea@calea.org.