City of Rochester
News Release
City Emergency Communications Department Awarded National Accreditation
(Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020) – Following a multi-year assessment of the City of Rochester’s Emergency Communications Department (ECD), the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) awarded its national accreditation to the City and County 911 Center, which recognizes excellence in community engagement, policies, procedures, equipment and facilities.
“Our community is fortunate to have such an outstanding Emergency Communications Department responding to its most critical and vulnerable needs,” said Mayor Lovely A. Warren. “I am grateful to all of the employees at ECD for the wonderful job they do for our citizens each day. Thank you to CALEA for consistently recognizing and rewarding their outstanding work.”
“Every day, the employees at the Emergency Communications Department go above and beyond to ensure Rochester and Monroe County residents get the help they need, when they need it the most,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “Receiving this important accreditation once again is further proof of the commitment and dedication of the ECD employees, and the level of professionalism and service they provide to our community 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
The group of employees who made up the Rochester Emergency Communications Accreditation Team included Damaris Rivera, Danielle Erway, Zahilis Carmona, Shelby Boyd and Matthew Johnson.
“The accreditation process continues to support our mission to serve as the vital link between the citizens and the public safety agencies of the City of Rochester and Monroe County,” said ECD Director Michael J. Cerretto. “Through this process, we are able to review every aspect of the Department and make changes that will impact our overall performance. This would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of all of the men and women who are a part of the Emergency Communications Department.”
“This award of accreditation does not come easy,” said CALEA President Anthony Purcell. “The City of Rochester went through a rigorous review and evaluation. By seeking and receiving CALEA accreditation, the City has committed to an ongoing review of its adherence to CALEA’s standards to ensure that it is going above and beyond while operating under the highest standards in public safety.”
The 2020 award marks the seventh national accreditation for the Rochester Emergency Communications Department. According to CALEA, the accreditation helps to improve its agency’s transparency, accountability, community advocacy, employee morale and liability insurance costs.
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About CALEA : Created in 1979, through the combined efforts of four major law enforcement organizations: the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs’ Association and the Police Executive Research Forum, CALEA’s purpose is twofold: to develop standards based on international best practices in public safety, and to establish and administer the accreditation process, which assesses how a public safety agency voluntarily demonstrates the manner in which it meets professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery.
Media Contact: For more information, contact Bridgette Burch White at (585) 428-6064 or Bridgette.Burchwhite@cityofrochester.gov.