The University of Tennessee Police Department is preparing for its third reaccreditation review and is asking the campus and surrounding community for input.
Representatives from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) who are evaluating the department will hold a public forum beginning at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3, in Room 106 of the Panhellenic Building, 1531 Cumberland Avenue. Parking for community members will be available in the Volunteer Hall Garage on White Avenue.
All students, faculty, and staff, as well as the greater Knoxville community, are invited to attend and offer comments. The CALEA team will be assessing policies, procedures, management, operations, and support services.
“Our department has worked diligently to maintain the high standards of CALEA accreditation. On our third reaccreditation assessment, we are hopeful that the evaluators continue to find UTPD a model agency in terms of professionalism, integrity, and accountability,” UTPD Chief Troy Lane said.
Currently, UTPD is one of only two CALEA-accredited university departments in Tennessee.
University employees, students, and the general public are also invited to offer comments by calling 865-946-0804 from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4. Comments will be taken by the assessment team on a nonrecorded line.
Telephone comments and appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and should address UTPD’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. These general areas of focus include the department’s ability to prevent and respond to crime, deliver services, build a rapport with the campus community, cooperate with other law enforcement agencies, and continue in its efforts to improve its practices and procedures.
To be accredited, law enforcement agencies must demonstrate the following:
- A comprehensive set of formal goals and directives
- A solid structure for providing information and analysis to the chief of police and the management team
- An emergency preparedness program already in place
- Development or improvement of the agency’s relations with the community
- Adherence to stringent standards that promote strong lines of accountability, both within the agency and with the community, and reduce liability and risk exposure to the agency
- Facilitation of the agency’s pursuit of professional excellence
UTPD first earned CALEA accreditation in 2009 after three years of preparation. The department received its first reaccreditation in 2012. Every three years, UTPD is required to submit for full reaccreditation. To find out more, visit calea.org.
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CONTACT:
Mike Richardson (865-974-3114, Mike.Richardson@utk.edu)