UT Police Department has received an advanced reaccreditation award from the Commission for Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies at a recent public hearing held by the CALEA Commission in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Only 5 percent of all US law enforcement agencies are accredited. UTPD began the accreditation process in 2006 and received its first accreditation in 2009.
UTPD Chief Troy Lane and Lt. Mike Richardson—who serves as UTPD’s accreditation manager—attended the event.
“We are honored that the commission has recognized our department once again for our commitment to public safety standards,” said Lane. “We are committed to providing the most outstanding service to the University of Tennessee community and maintaining a professionally accredited police department.”
The accreditation award shows successful compliance with more than 480 internationally accepted individual law enforcement standards. Law enforcement agencies in this program must have policies and procedures that meet specific standards and show proof of compliance in order to be awarded accreditation or re-accreditation.
The process of CALEA accreditation begins with a rigorous self-assessment, requiring a review of policies, practices, and processes against internationally accepted public safety standards. This is followed with an assessment by independent evaluators with significant public safety experience.
Additionally, public feedback is received to promote community trust and engagement, and structured interviews are conducted with select agency personnel and others with knowledge to assess the agency’s effectiveness and overall service delivery capacities. The ultimate decision to accredit is rendered by a governing body of twenty-one commissioners following a public hearing and review of all reporting documentation.
UTPD is also accredited by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, and is pursuing accreditation through the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police.
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CONTACT:
Mike Richardson (865-974-3114, mrichar5@utk.edu)
Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)