Prince William County was recognized as one of only five counties in the United States to have their police department awarded special accreditation status. This recognition certainly flew under the radar. According to the President of the Virginia Association of Counties in the December issue of County Connections, the publication of the newsletter of the Virginia Association of Counties:
“The Tri-Arc Award is given to the governing bodies and agencies that have concurrent CALEA accreditation for their law enforcement, public safety communications and public safety training agencies,” according to background documents for the Board of Supervisors.
Just a couple of weeks ago, the department received its third CALEA accreditation honor, for the county criminal justice academy—and that opened the doors for nomination to the CALEA Tri-Arc Excellence Award. The award is administered by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. In 1987, Prince William police received CALEA accreditation for law enforcement and in 2003, for public safety communications.
CALEA is quoted in the president’s article:
“This is truly a significant achievement,” said Sylvester Daughtry, executive director of CALEA, in a briefpresentation to supervisors. No other jurisdiction in the Washington metropolitan area has received the award; neither has any county in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Chief Deane and Chairman Cory Stewart are both quoted:
“I’d like to commend our staff for the outstanding work they’ve done,” said Prince William police Chief Charlie Deane, naming several colleagues—1st Sgt. Dawn Harman; Jan Judy and Capt. Fred Miller with the academy and Hazel Colson and Capt. Ted McInteer with communications—for their leadership in achieving the honor.
The award means the county police have maintained national standards in the three areas of accreditation. On behalf of the board, Chairman Corey Stewart, R-At Large, said the honor was warranted but not unexpected. “The board is not surprised we have a professional, excellent police force,” he said.
What a fabulous honor for our police department to receive. It is truly amazing how the public support has shifted in the past year and half. It gives us many a tingle to hear the chairman speak so kindly about the department. It is only under the leadership of Chief Charlie Deane that so much has been achieved.
How about a shout out to our local men and women in blue? They have been asked to do a lot the past couple of years and they probably haven’t even gotten a raise.
Being in the top 5 nationally is nothing to sneeze at. It also makes certain statements made in the past even more foolish.
Treason? 🙄 A couple of locals sure mis-played their cards on that one.
Chief Deane, always humble, recognized several of his staff. However, what also needs to be said is that without his leadership, would Prince William County have been the recipient of these awards? There are lots of counties out there with lots more money to spend than Prince William…who didn’t get a TRI-ARC award. Kudos to Chief Deane and his staff.
Moon,
The T-word!! One of the biggest jokes ever. Mis-played cards, hmm. I think it was more like a failed attempt at a “witch hunt” of sorts.
I can’t say for a fact if the county would’ve received the awards under other leadership or not. The fact IS that the county’s PD has won many awards on the local, state, national, and international levels all under Chief Deane’s watch. This is something all the citizens of PWC should be proud of. However, that’s not always the case. There are simply those that choose to focus on the negative.
Congratulations to Chief Deane and the men and women of the PD.
Lafayette, I think you are right re witch hunt. It was political suicide and that affrontery will not be forgotten at election time.
I meant no disrespect with my ‘boys and girls’ in blue comment, but I have a feeling I should have said men and women so I will go back and correct.
Note that the City of Manassas PD has also obtained CALEA accrediation
for a number of years. A very high honor and not easy to achieve.
Chief Deane and Chief Skinner are first class professionals. Thier
departments reflect that fact.
Had I known, I would have posted it. Yes, both chiefs are highly professional individuals who seem to be able to remain above the politics.