On Monday January 8, 2018, a team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will arrive at the College of Charleston, Department of Public Safety to re-examine all aspects of the agency’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. This assessment is part of a voluntary process to retain nationally accredited status – a highly prized recognition of professional excellence in law enforcement.

Verification by the assessment team that the College of Charleston, Department of Public Safety meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is key to the Department’s accreditation. As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session to be held on Wednesday January 10, 2018 beginning at 4:00 p.m. The session will be held at the Stern Student Activity Center, Room 409, located at 71 George Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29424.

If, for some reason, individuals cannot speak at the public information session, but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, they may do so by telephone. The public may call (843) 953-7129 on Wednesday January 10, 2018, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. Questions concerning compliance with any of the standards may be directed to Deputy Chief William F. Herkert, Jr. at 843-953-5615.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the College of Charleston, Department of Public Safety’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainseville, Virginia 20155.

The CALEA Program Manager for the College of Charleston, Department of Public Safety is Ms. Kimberly Crannis-Curl. The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar, but out-of-state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and other places where compliance can be witnessed.

The Assessors are:

Team Leader-Major John Clifton

John Clifton has been the Major of the Johns Creek Police Department, Georgia since 2008. Before that he served as the Chief of Police for the City of Forsyth, Georgia. John started his career at The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Department, Georgia where he spent 10 years in patrol and investigations. John was an agent for 2 years with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation before becoming a Police Chief. John has a BS degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Georgia and Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University. He proudly was part of a delegation sent to Israel in 2007 as a law enforcement exchange program at Georgia State University and is very active with the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. John serves on the Georgia Law Enforcement Torch Run executive council for Special Olympics and was recently named the Special Olympics Rookie of Year for the state of Georgia.

Team Member -Lieutenant Deborah Morgan

Debbi Morgan is currently the Executive Director for the New River Valley Alcohol Safety Action Program, where she has been since 2013. Prior to that she worked at the Virginia Tech Police Department for 21 years. While at Virginia Tech she held numerous positions including Accreditation Manager, bike patrol officer, Patrol Sergeant, Administrative Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Special Operations Lieutenant and Detective Lieutenant. She graduated from Rutgers University with Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Sociology. She earned her Master’s degree in Public Administration at Virginia Tech. Debbi lives in Christiansburg with her husband and three children.

For additional information contact:

Chief Robert S. Reese: (843) 953-5609

Deputy Chief William F. Herkert, Jr.: (843) 953-5609