Rome to issue police accreditation call-out

City commissioners also will hold first readings tonight on several proposed zoning changes.

The Rome City Commission is expected to issue a call-out tonight for residents to participate in an evaluation of the police department.

Officials with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies are conducting an on-site visit this week as part of a three-year reassessment. The Rome Police Department has been a member of CALEA for over 30 years and is up for renewal in 2018.

Residents and agency employees can offer comments at a public information session set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 601 Broad St. The assessment team also will take phone comments from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, or written statements may be mailed to CALEA, 13576 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155.

CALEA was founded in 1979 by several national law enforcement executive associations to set “the gold standard” for agencies.

The voluntary accreditation program covers four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations and support services. An agency must prove they are meeting more than 400 specific standards.

Rome police netted a 100-percent rating during the last onsite assessment, in 2014. The department’s top brass also will face questions from a panel of CALEA peers as part of the final score.

City commissioners caucus at 5 p.m. and start their regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday in City Hall. Both sessions are public.

The board has a light agenda — mainly first readings of annexations and rezoning requests that will be decided following public hearings next week. Commissioners moved their second regularly scheduled meeting of the month to Dec. 18 from Christmas Day.

Among the requested changes are Planned Development zoning for The Spires, the continuing care retirement village Berry College plans to build near its rock quarry, and Urban Mixed Use zoning for a 12-unit townhome development slated for the old Hoyt property at 603 W. First St.