UNL Police Department seeks international accreditation

            An expansion of duties has led the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department to pursue international accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

            The three-year process culminates in an onsite assessment by commission officials in November. The public is invited to contribute to the assessment through a public forum on Nov. 11, by phone or in writing.

            This is the first time the department has sought accreditation.

            "In the last decade, the department has grown both in size and in public safety functions to support university programs," UNL Police Chief Owen Yardley said. "Participation in this accreditation process allows us to bring in an outside eye to measure if, as the department has grown, we have continued to follow best practices. It is also a good way to recognize department strengths and identify areas for improvement."

            The commission is an independent accrediting authority created in 1979 by four top law enforcement membership associations: International Association of Police Chiefs, National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs' Association and the Police Executive Research Forum. The purpose of the commission is to improve law enforcement service through a national set of standards.

            Only about 4 percent of public safety agencies nationwide have gained accredited status through the commission. Nebraska agencies to earn the status include Lincoln and Omaha police departments, Nebraska State Patrol and the Lincoln 911 Center. Big Ten university departments accredited include Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio State.

            To achieve accreditation, UNLPD must meet 188 commission standards.

            "The standards include things like how the department is structured, a review of policies and if they are being followed, and civic trainings," Yardley said.

            A copy of the standards is available for review at the UNLPD office, 300 N. 17th St.

            Calls from UNL's public safety blue phones will also transition from campus operators to UNLPD's dispatch center later this year.

            The first two years of the process feature a self-assessment into if the department meets commission standards. Michael Maas, UNLPD's compliance and accreditation manager, will lead the current self-assessment and future reviews.

            "Once accredited, it is an ongoing process to keep everything up to date and make sure a department continues to meet the (commission) standards," Maas said. "Each agency that earns the honor must be recertified every three years."

            Other steps in the process have included a complete review of UNLPD policies, procedures and equipment, and an enhancement of officer training.

            "One thing we did not have to do was make a substantial investment in facilities or equipment," Yardley said. "We were fortunate that, in 2005, we moved into a new facility designed with all the features of a modern law enforcement agency."

            Additional elements of the review include UNLPD's association with local, state and federal public safety agencies.

            The onsite review begins Nov. 9. The community can offer comments about the department during an 11 a.m. Nov. 11 public information session in the Nebraska Union Regency Room A. Public comments can also be voiced by calling 402-472-3877 from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 10, or in writing to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, Va., 20155.

            For more information about the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, go to http://www.calea.org.

Writer: Troy Fedderson, University Communications