Chapter 2 - Understanding the Standards

Question 1

Unless otherwise indicated, standards become effective upon the date of enactment and agencies must be in compliance within ___ ____.

Answer 1

one year

Question 2

The most common type of standard

Answer 2

written directive

Question 3

Agencies are asked to comply with certain standards by having a written directive, which can take many forms:

Answer 3

rule, regulation, general or special order, policy, procedure, memorandum, or training material. In some instances, an ordinance, law, or statute can serve as a written directive. For example, See Standard 1.2.1 from the Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies Manual.

Question 4

In addition to the words “written directive” appearing in some standard statements, a more specific category of directive may be indicated by the words:

Answer 4

“policy,” “plan,” or “procedure”:

Question 5

A ____ is a written directive that is a broad statement of agency principles. Policy statements may be characterized by such words as may or should and usually do not establish fixed rules or set procedures for conduct of a particular activity but rather provide a frame-work for development of procedures and rules and regulations.

Answer 5

policy

Question 6

A ____ is a documented identification of methods to achieve desirable goals or conditions. It is normally found outside the main written directive system and is geared toward anticipated or contingent activities or tasks. It is reasonable to expect that such a plan would be found outside the main directive system.

Answer 6

plan

Question 7

A ______ is a written directive that is a guideline for carrying out agency activities. A procedure may be made mandatory in tone through the use of shall rather than should, or must rather than may. Procedures sometimes allow some latitude and discretion in carrying out an activity.

Answer 7

procedure

Question 8

____ ____ relate one standard to another for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with separate aspects of the same subject. For examples, see standard 1.3.6 and standard 1.3.7 from the Law Enforcement Standards Manual.

Answer 8

Linked standards

Question 9

____ _____ or “bulleted” standards are expressed with a list of alphanumeric designated subcomponents. For example, see standard 6.6.3 from the Standards for Public Safety Communications Manual.

Answer 9

Multiple requirement

Question 10

A number of standards contain a ____ ____. A conditional standard statement begins with if. For example: If the agency has hostage negotiators, a written directive specifies criteria for selection to those positions

Answer 10

conditional requirement

Question 11

These standards are those for which compliance is determined by _______ and are identified by the phrase “Compliance may be OBSERVED” following the level of compliance designation.

Answer 11

observation

Question 12

These standards require that a specific activity occur, such as a report, review, analysis, inspection, test, survey, audit and/or inventory. The activity may or may not require a written directive.

Answer 12

Activity required

Question 13

These standards are on a time period basis (annual, semi-annual, monthly, semi-weekly, weekly, per incident, etc.).

Answer 13

Time-sensitive

Question 14

Each standard consists of three elements:

Answer 14

(1) standard statement, (2) commentary, and (3) levels of compliance.

Question 15

The ___ ___, written in italics, is a declarative sentence that places one or more clear-cut requirements on an agency. The standard statement is binding upon the agency. Many standard statements require the development and implementation of written directives, such as general or special orders, policies, plans, procedures, rules, or other written directives. Other standards require an activity, a report, or other action or observable condition. If a question arises about the meaning of a standard statement, it should be interpreted in a ____, ____ ____.

Answer 15

standard statement; strict, literal manner.

Question 16

The ______ supports the standard statement and is non-binding. The commentary serves as guidance to clarify the intent of the standard, or as an example of one possible way to comply with the standard. The agency has the latitude to determine how it will comply with applicable standards to effectively meet its needs.

Answer 16

commentary

Question 17

The ___ ___ ____ denote the required standards for agencies of various sizes. This is done by a series of bold letters between parentheses indicating the required level of compliance according to agency size. For each of the agency size categories, the levels of compliance indicate whether a given standard is mandatory (M), other-than-mandatory (O), or not applicable (N/A) by size.

Answer 17

levels of compliance

Question 18

1-24 LE or Campus Security personnel

Answer 18

A

Question 19

25-74 LE or Campus Security personnel

Answer 19

B

Question 20

75-299 LE or Campus Security personnel

Answer 20

C

Question 21

300 or more LE or Campus Security personnel

Answer 21

D

Question 22

1-15 Communications personnel

Answer 22

A

Question 23

16-75 Communications personnel

Answer 23

B

Question 24

76+ Communications personnel

Answer 24

C

Question 25

The Commission developed a series of _____ _____ to govern the general application of standards, clarify the intent of others, and amplify actions that assessors may take in verifying compliance. They are included in Appendix B in each program’s standards manual.

Answer 25

“Guiding Principles”

Question 26

When developing standards, CALEA applies the following criteria to determine whether to designate a standard as mandatory:

Answer 26

Standards that deal with life, health, and safety.
Standards that pertain to constitutional issues or are matters covered by applicable law.
Standards that specify essential operational or administrative policies.

Question 27

CALEA applies the following criteria to determine whether to designate a standard as other-than-mandatory:

Answer 27

Standards that specify desirable practices, which enhance the delivery of services through the use of generally accepted practices and procedures.
Standards that address exemplary activities, including innovative practices, new technologies, or emerging professional concepts.

Question 28

Agencies do not need to comply with 20% of other-than-mandatory standards, but are encouraged to be in compliance with more than ___ in case there are discrepancies with the agency’s other-than-mandatory standards proofs of compliance.

Answer 28

80%

Question 29

CALEA staff can make an _____ interpretation of the standard and the Commission makes ____ interpretations.

Answer 29

informal; formal