The Durham Emergency Communications Center is entering the assessment phase of its fifth re-accreditation process with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The center has held CALEA accreditation since 2009, indicating it meets established standards for emergency communications.
The CALEA program is voluntary and operates on a four-year cycle. It requires agencies to meet 208 standards covering areas such as quality assurance, technology, risk management, security, training, and operational procedures. This process involves regular review and data analysis to support leadership and accountability.
From February 23 to 25, a CALEA assessor will examine documentation and evidence of compliance at the Durham center. The assessment will review policies, operations, management practices, and support services.
Residents are encouraged to provide feedback about the center’s ability to meet CALEA standards. Public comments can be submitted online through a designated portal or by mailing written remarks to CALEA at its Gainesville, Virginia address.
Director Randy Beeman highlighted the significance of this recognition: “Accreditation is a testament to the hard work, training, dedication, and professionalism of the men and women who work in our Center supporting all of Durham’s public safety agencies,” Beeman said. “It is a significant achievement to have highly skilled and trained staff earn this honor, and our goal is to maintain our accredited status as proof of our commitment to delivering exceptional call-taking and dispatch services.”