A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), will arrive June 16 to examine all aspects of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Sheriff Ed Graybeal announced today.

Verification by the team that the Washington County Sheriff’s Office meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is a part of a voluntary process to maintain accreditation — a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence, Sheriff Graybeal said.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on June 17 at 5 p.m. The session will be conducted at the Washington County George P. Jaynes Justice Center, located at I 08 W. Jackson Blvd., Jonesborough.

If an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would like to provide comments to the assessment team, he/she may do so by telephone. The public may call 423-753-1817 on Monday, June 17, between the hours of 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Telephone comments as well as appearances (10) minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Washington County Sheriff’s Office’s ability to meet the standards for reaccreditation are requested to write:

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA)

13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320

Gainsville, VA 20155