UC Police achieve accreditation for the second time from international organization

The University of Cincinnati Public Safety Department is pleased to announce that the UC Police Division (UCPD) has earned accreditation from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) for the second time.

“Safety is a top priority at UC, and the caring professionals charged with looking out for the Bearcat community’s well-being are truly second to none,” said UC President Neville Pinto. “I’m extremely pleased to learn that UCPD has gained another international stamp of approval from leaders in the field of campus law enforcement.”

Agencies accredited by IACLEA adhere to the highest professional standards. IACLEA-accredited institutions must meet more than 210 standards that reflect the best professional requirements and practices for campus public safety agencies. The state-of-the-art standards are in four basic areas: policy and procedures; administration; operations; and support services.

“The assessment team hereby confirms that the University of Cincinnati Police Division (UCPD) has demonstrated its continued commitment in providing first-class police services to the diverse University of Cincinnati community it so proudly serves. This was clearly indicated to the team in every interaction with members of the department, from Chief Isaac, the command staff, down to the patrol officers and support personnel with whom the assessment team interacted,” said Lead Assessor Scott Vanscoy.

Vanscoy also said, “The UCPD has and continues to make tremendous strides in strengthening the cutting-edge practices and services the agency employs and offers, to include the collaborative working relationships established with the law enforcement communities surrounding their main and off-site campuses.”

Through the accreditation process, the UCPD demonstrated to outside, impartial experts its compliance with national best-practice standards that denote current best practices in the profession. Fewer than 100 agencies have earned this distinctive recognition.

“Our re-accreditation by IACLEA exemplifies that the UCPD and Public Safety Department have continued to hold ourselves to the highest standards,” said Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety Eliot Isaac.

Accreditation is for four years, during which time the department must submit annual reports attesting to continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited. After four years, the agency can apply to be re-accredited.

“The process and pursuit of accreditation have helped our agency, and agency members, grow exponentially on a professional level…It allows us to establish a strong foundation of expectations and opens our eyes to clear guidelines to achieve our overall goals and making the best-informed decisions while adapting in this ever-changing profession. This leads us to becoming an agency that is a beacon and example to other agencies around us, and most importantly, makes us an agency those we serve can be proud of, and trust in, through our engagement, communication, collaboration, professionalism and accountability,” said UCPD Sgt. Kennerly Newlin.

Featured image at top: From left, IACLEA Director of Professional Standards Jerry Murphy, UC Police Division Chief of Staff John DeJarnette, UC Assistant Police Chief Dudley Smith, UC Director of Public Safety and Police Chief Eliot Isaac, IACLEA's Immediate Past President Paul Dean, IACLEA Executive Director Paul M. Cell, and UC Public Safety Unit Operations Coordinator Maria Madera pose with a certificate of accreditation during the IACLEA annual conference. Photo courtesy of Mike Ritter.