Law enforcement - WKTV Journal

Wyoming Department of Public Safety Chief Kim Koster

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will arrive on Nov. 1, to examine all aspects of the Wyoming Department of Public Safety policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Chief Kimberly Koster announced today.

As a part of the on-site assessment, which will be done virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the public and agency employees are invited to offer comments on the agency’s services and overall performance at a public information session to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Those wishing to attend the virtual town hall with the assessment team can email PD_Info@wyomingmi.gov to request the zoom link to attend and provide comments.

If for some reason, an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would like to provide comments to the assessment team, he/she may do so by telephone. The public may call 616-530-7313 on Tuesday, Nov. 2, from 3 – 4 p.m.

The telephone comments as well as those made at the public information session are limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the Commission’s standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Wyoming Public Safety Department. For further information, contact Lt. Brian Look at 616-249-3441.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Wyoming Department of Public Safety’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write:

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA)

13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320

Gainesville, Virginia, 20155

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety must comply with 463 standards in order to maintain accredited status. The assessment team is comprised of law enforcement practitioners from similar, but out-of-state agencies. The team will review written materials, interview individuals, tour the facilities, and visit offices and other places where compliance can be witnessed. Once their review is complete, the assessors will report back to the full Commission which will then decide if the agency is to be granted re-accredited status.

Accreditation is for the next four years, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited. The Wyoming Department of Public Safety was originally accredited in 2012.

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 800-368-3757 or 703-352-4225 or e-mail at calea@calea.org

By Silent Observer

Do you know a crime-fighting hero that works tirelessly in keeping our community or their neighborhood safe? If you do, Silent Observer is giving you the opportunity to nominate them for one of Silent Observer’s Community Heroes Awards. This event was created to recognize both law enforcement and civilians who have made significant contributions to safety and crime prevention. The nominee’s efforts should be directed within the boundaries of Kent County. Winners will be celebrated and recognized at Silent Observer’s First Annual Community Heroes Awards Luncheon on December 7, 2017.

Award Categories are:

Law Enforcement Bridge Builder Award
Building Stronger Neighborhoods Award
Making A Difference Community Award

Click here to download the Nomination Application for a description of each award category and for the award application. Deadline for nominations is October 20, 2017.

For more information, visit Silent Observer’s website here.

About Silent Observer:

Public Act 557 strengthens Silent Observer’s promise of anonymity to tipsters who call our tip line with information about crime. The law protects Silent Observer’s records from subpoena unless the information would clear a defendant of guilt. “The guarantee of anonymity is the most important element of Silent Observer and Crime Stoppers programs,” said Chris Cameron, Executive Director of Silent Observer. ” It is what makes our program a vital tool in obtaining leads to assist investigators in solving crime.”

Silent Observer will pay a reward of up to $1,000 if your tip leads to the arrest of an individual. The reward amount is based on the severity of the crime and how important the tip was to police. A reward is available for any serious crime solved with the help of a tip to Silent Observer. So if you have information about crime call the Silent Observer tip line at 616.774.2345.