Accreditation

In March 2002, the Department of Emergency Communications received initial CALEA Accreditation.  This process is conducted by the Commission on

Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies [CALEA].  The Accreditation process involves documenting compliance with CALEA Accreditation standards for communication centers.  The process also involves undergoing an on-site audit by CALEA representatives to ensure that all the standards are being met.  The initial Accreditation was valid for three years.

In March 2005 the Department of Emergency Communications was re-accredited by CALEA.  This audit once again required the Department of Emergency Communications to demonstrate that we are meeting the standards set by CALEA for communication centers.  The standards for Accreditation are considerably more demanding than the standards for initial Certification.

On March 15, 2008 at the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, Commissioner John Balloni and Deputy Commissioner Jo- Anne Munroe along with the Department of Emergency Communications Accreditation Manager, Senior Shift Supervisor Christopher Strong and Accreditation Specialist, Supervisor of Dispatch Operations Maryanne Calogero, appeared before a panel of CALEA Commissioners to answer questions relative to the on-site review conducted at the Onondaga County Department of Emergency Communications Center.  As a result of the review and our presentation the panel voted to award our agency with accreditation for a 3rd time.  This third accreditation signifies that our agency continues to comply with 218 national standards, which ensure that we provide the best professional service to the public we serve.  The honor of CALEA Flagship Agency Certification was also awarded.  Since 2005 only 11 other Communications Centers have received this award.  The award signifies continually demonstrating excellence in committment to the CALEA accreditation process and a willingness to share with others its accreditation's success. 

In 2010 the Department of Emergency Communications will be scheduled for an on-site re-accreditation review by the CALEA assessors.  Newly developed CALEA standards will make this process to achieve our 4th award even more challenging.