LEWISTON – The heat is on for the police department. Today, a team off assessors will arrive in Lewiston to examine all aspects of the department’s policies, procedures and management.

The ultimate goal for police: yet another verification that the department meets the very precise criteria for accreditation, a prized recognition of a police agency’s excellence.

As part of the Commission on Accreditation assessment, agency employees and city residents are invited to offer their comments at a public information session at 6:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

Those who cannot attend the session but wish to make comments over the telephone may do so by calling 576-0704 between 1 and 5 p.m. Monday.

Comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the police department’s ability to comply with accreditation standards.

Those wishing to offer written comments may send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, Va. 22030.

The Lewiston police department is currently the only nationally accredited police agency in the state. They first achieved that status in 1995. They were reaccredited in 2000 and again in 2003.