ACCREDITATION

See also : Administration

During the spring of 2006, the University of Tennessee Police Department began the process for accreditation through CALEA in pursuit of professional excellence. On August 2, 2009, the University of Tennessee Police Department was awarded Accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.  This is a significant accomplishment because on that date UTPD became the only CALEA accredited university police department in the state and one of only 30 law enforcement agencies CALEA accredited in the nation.

Benefits to Accreditation:

CALEA Accreditation requires an agency to develop a comprehensive, well thought out, uniform set of written directives. This is one of the most successful methods for reaching administrative and operational goals, while also providing direction to personnel.

CALEA Accreditation standards provide the necessary reports and analyses a Chief Executive Officer needs to make fact-based, informed management decisions.

CALEA Accreditation requires a preparedness program be put in place – so an agency is ready to address natural or man-made unusual occurrences.

CALEA Accreditation is a means for developing or improving upon an agency’s relationship with the community.

CALEA Accreditation strengthens an agency’s accountability, both within the agency and the community, through a continuum of standards that clearly define authority, performance, and responsibilities.

Being CALEA Accredited can limit an agency’s liability and risk exposure because it demonstrates that internationally recognized standards for law enforcement have been met, as verified by a team of independent outside CALEA-trained assessors.

CALEA stands for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. The purpose of CALEA’s Accreditation Programs is to improve the delivery of public safety services, primarily by: maintaining a body of standards, developed by public safety practitioners, covering a wide range of up-to-date public safety initiatives; establishing and administering an accreditation process; and recognizing professional excellence.

Corporal Nicole Collins is the University of Tennessee Police Department's Accreditation Manager.

University of Tennessee Police Department

1101 Cumberland Ave
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-1940
Phone: 865.974.3111
Fax: (865) 974-4072
Email: utpolice@utk.edu

In an EMERGENCY call 9-1-1

Press the RED button on any
Blue Light Phones