Laconia police explain CALEA accreditation, 911 consolidation and cruiser bid process

LACONIA, N.H. — The Laconia Police Commission received briefings Aug. 20 on accreditation options, a state 911 consolidation project and the process the department will use to replace patrol vehicles.

Chief Steve Canfield explained the difference between state accreditation and CALEA, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. "CALEA is over 500 standards that must be met on a continual basis ... The state accreditation process is a 100 standards, and these standards are state specific," Canfield said. He described CALEA as an international accreditation with higher standards and on-site assessments every fourth year.

Nut graf: Commissioners heard that CALEA entails more extensive, recurring audits than the state's program, and that maintaining either accreditation requires ongoing administrative work.

Canfield also described a state plan to relocate 911 services and regional fire dispatch from their current co-located site on state school property to new facilities on Meredith Center Road, across from Robbie Mills. He said the regional fire dispatch serves roughly 33 communities.

On fleet replacement, Canfield said the state's vehicle bid has expired and the city will put the four new cruisers out to bid through the finance office using the department's specifications. He said vehicle replacement follows a rotational schedule based on age and mileage.

Ending: No formal commission votes were taken on accreditation or the 911 relocation; Canfield said the department will proceed with the public bidding process for new cruisers and return with contract recommendations when bids are awarded.