Lloyd Longnion, left, speaks as Jeanette Winn, second from right, and Dr. Everlena Holmes listen at an on-site re-accreditation Monday, March 14, 2016 in the City Council chambers.Community Police Interaction Committee meetings
Hixson Youth & Family Development Center — April 14, 6:30 p.m.The Howard School — March 17, 6 p.m.Avondale Youth & Family Development Center — March 29, 11:30 a.m.Parkridge Diagnostic Center — April 12, 6 p.m.Shepherd Youth & Family Development Center — April 14, 6:30 p.m.Source: Chattanooga Police Department
About a dozen people lauded the Chattanooga Police Department during a public meeting Monday night as the police seek re-accreditation from a national nonprofit organization.
Residents said the police are accessible, responsive, respectful and involved in the community during the approximately 45-minute long session.
"In Highland Park, the vast majority of neighbors truly appreciate the men and women who patrol our streets," resident Olga de Klein said. "Many of us know who our police officers are. That they are not just police officers, but they are caring human beings."
Monday's meeting was a required part of the process for police to earn re-accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, an organization that sets voluntary standards for law enforcement agencies.
Two assessors from CALEA listened to the comments from residents on Monday. The men will spend Tuesday and Wednesday evaluating the department to determine whether or not police should be awarded re-accreditation.
CALEA's assessors are looking at the police department's policy and procedures, administration, operations and support services. About 1,000 law enforcement agencies are accredited through CALEA, and Chattanooga police have been accredited since 2001.
Residents who spoke during the session emphasized that the department's outreach programs have been crucial to helping improve their relationship with police. The police department hosts monthly meetings in neighborhoods across the city called Community Police Interaction Committees, which many speakers cited as a positive experience.
Others credited Chief Fred Fletcher for recent improvement in the department.
"It all comes down from the leadership of the chief," resident Frances Forester said. "[He created] an almost immediate difference in the morale of our police force. I saw pride on their faces."
At the end of the session, the two CALEA evaluators said they felt the community had answered all of their questions.
"You very effectively communicated your feelings about the department," assessor Tom Clark said.
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