August Washington, chief of the University of Tennessee Police Department (UTPD), has been recognized by IACLEA, the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, for his outstanding service and improvements to the department.
Washington, who has been chief of UTPD for more than four years, is the recipient of IACLEA’s 2009 Award for Administrative Excellence. The award honors an IACLEA member for work in areas such as policy and planning, investigations and/or crime prevention. New and innovative ideas, cost savings, enhanced administrative techniques and management ideas are some of the elements considered for award selection. Only one recipient is chosen each year.
“Chief Washington stood head and shoulders above the rest of the nominees,” said Melvin Murdock, chair of the IACLEA awards and recognition committee. “When it comes to these kinds of decisions, it’s usually pretty close but his accomplishments and innovations as a law enforcement administrator made it an easy decision. He stood out from the competition — that was the general consensus of the committee.”
Washington, who was quite honored with the award, shared credit with his staff at UTPD.
“It’s an honor to receive this award but I’m most proud that what we’ve accomplished in the past four years has been nationally recognized,” Washington said. “We’ve worked hard — and will continue to work hard — to improve our service to the UT community and enhance campus safety. And it wouldn’t be possible without such a great team here at UTPD.”
In his short tenure, Washington has changed the culture of the department, once plagued by high turnover, said Captain Keith Lambert.
“During the last 20 years we had averaged replacing at least five officers per year, and this turnover had an impact on our ability to provide services,” Lambert said. “Chief Washington implemented a career path for the department to decrease turnover and focus on development and advancement. This is our third year of that plan, and we’ve only had three officers resign in those three years.”
Other improvements made under Washington’s tenure include enhancements to department communications, community relations, the campus security program and community outreach.
“Washington brought a simple concept to the department with a personal vision for departmental growth,” Lambert said. “Our department motto is ‘Enforcement Through Cooperation,’ and he has led the way for this vision.”
Prior to joining UTPD in 2005, Washington served as the deputy director of safety and security for the University of Southern California. He has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience. He has a master’s degree in criminal justice from Grambling State University and a bachelor’s degree in general studies with a focus on behavioral science from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He also has taught college level criminal justice courses and has extensive training on crime prevention, emergency preparedness and community policing.
In 2005, UTPD had 50 uniformed officers and 20 civilian officers. Today, the department boasts 52 sworn officers and 60 other personnel.
Washington will be formally recognized at IACLEA’s annual conference in Quebec in late June as the recipient of the award for administrative excellence.
For more information about IACLEA, visit http://www.iaclea.org.