This commission has been accrediting law enforcement agencies since 1979.

The Federal Way Police Department is one of only eight law enforcement agencies currently accredited in the state of Washington. A team of assessors will be conducting an evaluation of the police department from Aug. 10-13.

The Gold Standard Assessment is a new methodology for assessing agencies seeking reaccreditation, which focuses primarily on processes and outcomes associated with standards specific to agency policies. In short, it works to measure the impact of accreditation, as opposed to simply confirming compliance through a file-by-file review. The team is made up of police professionals from around the country who have been trained to thoroughly assess police departments seeking reaccreditation status and ensure that each meets the commission’s state-of-the-art standards.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session at 6 p.m. Aug. 11. The session will be conducted in the City Hall Council Chambers, 33325 Eighth Ave. S.

The public may also call 253-835-6800 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25 to provide comments via telephone. 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 the commission’s standards. A copy of the standards is available for review at the police lobby during business hours.

For information, contact Commander Stan McCall at 253-835-6715. To submit written comments, write to: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155.