CCSU’s Police Department, which in 1999 became the state’s first university law enforcement agency to attain international professional accreditation, has been re-accredited for another three years by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).  The international organization evaluates public safety agencies in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Barbados. Seen here during the assessment are (from left) CALEA team leader Jerry D. Stewart, director of Iowa State University’s Department of Public Safety in Ames, IA; CCSU’s Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police Jason B. Powell; Inspector Paul Forcier of the Niagara Parks Police Services, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada; Captain Christine A. Crocker of the Cumberland Police Department in Rhode Island; and CCSU Police Officer Karen Smith.

CALEA Executive Director Sylvester J. Daughty, Jr., noted that CCSU met “all applicable standards according to its size and function. The standards address all areas of administration, operation, and technical support activities. Following a thorough self-assessment, [CCSU] received a vigorous on-site assessment by a team of assessors trained by CALEA.”

Dr. Robert N. Aebersold, CCSU’s Interim President, expressed pleasure that “the visit by the team of assessors in August found all aspects of the CCSU Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services up to CALEA’s high standards.” 

Similarly, CCSU’s Chief Administrative Officer Richard Bachoo said that he is “proud of the fact that CCSU’s Police Department first volunteered to meet these high standards and that they deserve high praise for leading the way for other campus law enforcement agencies in Connecticut and New England.”

“CALEA accreditation is a highly prized honor, and I am grateful for the work of the men and women of our department who continue to help us meet these standards of excellence,” noted Chief Powell.

The CCSU Police Department complied with 444 standards in order to gain re-accreditation. The assessors, all law enforcement practitioners from similar but out-of-state agencies, reviewed written materials, interviewed individuals, and visited offices and other locations where compliance could be observed.

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