N.C. ALCOHOL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS RE-ACCREDITED

Agency Is Only One of Its Kind to Earn Accreditation

RALEIGH -- North Carolina's Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) has been re-accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).  The division is the only law enforcement agency in the world with the core mission of enforcing laws and statutes related to the sale, distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages to achieve international accreditation.

The accreditation process is an arduous task, requiring a compete review of all aspects of a law enforcement agency's operations.  During the past several months, a team of CALEA assessors has been examining ALE's policies, procedures, management, operations and support services. ALE must comply with 333 standards to maintain accredited status.  Accreditation is for three years, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

“Time and again, our ALE Agents have demonstrated their commitment and dedication to public safety, especially when it concerns the health of our youth,” said Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary Bryan Beatty. “I couldn't be prouder of our employees and commend the sworn agents and civilian employees of ALE for their fine work.”

ALE is a division of the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety (CCPS).  The Division's 117 agents enforce the state's alcohol, tobacco, bingo, gambling and lottery laws in more than 17,000 outlets licensed to sell alcohol.  Each Agent's primary focus is stopping the illegal sale and consumption of alcohol by minors.  Information on ALE programs is available on the web www.ncale.org.

The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division applied for accreditation in 2003 and received accreditation in 2005.  There are 42 local and state law enforcement agencies in North Carolina who currently hold the accredited status, including the State Highway Patrol and State Bureau of Investigation.

CALEA has been in existence for over 25 years and was established by the nation's four leading law enforcement executive organizations: the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriff's Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum.