The City of Alexandria’s 9-1-1 center is the only one in the region, and one of only seven in Virginia, to be accredited by the Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program administered by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). Accreditation recognizes agency compliance with internationally recognized standards in the areas of policies and procedures, administration, operation and support services.
“Public safety telecommunicators are often the initial link in our regional public safety response network,” said City Manager Mark Jinks. “When you call or text 9-1-1 in Alexandria, you’ll reach dedicated professionals in the Department of Emergency Communications who have met rigorous standards. They are a key part of our first responder team.”
The accreditation decision was formally presented on March 24, at CALEA’s national conference in Frisco, Texas, following a review of written materials, a public comment period, and a week-long, on-site assessment. Benefits of accreditation include enhanced training for public safety personnel, greater staff engagement to improve policies and procedures, greater accountability for agency actions, and lower risk for localities and customers.
