[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 55 (Friday, April 4, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E524-E525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE HAYWARD POLICE DEPARTMENT'S REACCREDITATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIC SWALWELL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 4, 2014

  Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, today I want to take this 
opportunity to recognize the Hayward Police Department, which was 
recently reaccredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law 
Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This is an honor received by very few of 
the thousands of state and local law enforcement agencies across the 
country, and it is one that is well deserved.
  CALEA is a joint effort of major law enforcement executive 
associations. It seeks to improve the workings of public safety 
organizations, in part by offering its accreditation program.
  The program is voluntary, so public safety departments have to want 
to go through the process. I applaud Hayward Police Chief Diane Urban 
for being willing to take on the challenge.
  To be reaccredited, the Hayward Police Department had to meet a 
variety of standards. They were reviewed by independent assessors, 
which closely observed officers in action as well as spoke with 
community members.
  The Department passed with flying colors. The assessment summary 
noted that out of

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the applicable mandatory standards, it was not out of compliance with 
any of them. It added that the Department ``commits considerable 
resources to creating and maintaining community partnerships, and in 
return, enjoys equally considerable overwhelmingly positive community 
support and recognition.'' CALEA officials involved in the formal 
hearing at which the Department was reaccredited were equally 
laudatory. Lead CALEA Commissioner Richard Myers said that he had 
``nothing but praise.''
  As a former Alameda County prosecutor, I know Hayward faces a 
challenging law enforcement environment. That the Hayward Police 
Department is operating in such an environment makes its achievement 
all the more impressive.
  I want to congratulate Hayward Mayor Michael Sweeney, Police Chief 
Urban, and the entire Hayward Police Department on its success. Keep up 
the good work.

                          ____________________