Southlake Police undergo assessment; hearing set

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. will begin assessing the Southlake Police Department on Sunday, with a public information session on Monday .

“They look at how effective is the police department in policing and serving the community,” Southlake Police Chief Stephen Mylett said.

The department is inviting the public to provide comments at the public hearing at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers inside Town Hall.

“The importance is a confirmation that our policies, practices and procedures are based on a level of professionalism in our organization,” Mylett said. “It’s a validation of our commitment to excellence and policing.”

The city’s police force has been accredited since 2000, but must go through the evaluation process every three years.

The team of two assessors also are members of law enforcement and come from Kentucky and Colorado. In addition to the public forum, the assessors will immerse themselves in the city’s police department, including looking at written material, speaking with personnel, and accompanying team members on the job. The assessment reviews all aspects of the department including policies, management, operations.

The team will be in the city for a few days, but has spent the past several weeks reviewing files the department sent ahead of time.

Those who cannot make it to the public forum on Monday can submit comments via telephone that same day from 2-4 p.m. at 817-748-8984.

Mylett said the department will not have official results of the assessment until March.

This story was originally published December 9, 2014 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Southlake Police undergo assessment; hearing set."