The Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) received its third accreditation award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The national honor was announced in August.
OSUPD is one of approximately 80 university agencies in the country to meet CALEA’s best practices of law enforcement standards.
“As a university agency, we have a uniquely tailored approach focusing on both safety and education,” said OSUPD's Chief Kimberly Spears-McNatt. “CALEA accreditation reconfirms our commitment to following best practices and working to achieve the highest standards in law enforcement.”
OSUPD first earned CALEA accreditation in 2013. Applying agencies must comply with 181 standards to gain accredited status. The voluntary process to gain accreditation, which is a highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence, includes verification by the assessors that OSUPD meets the commission’s state-of-the-art standards. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s assessment took place virtually, in May. Team assessors reviewed proofs of compliance during the last four years, which included policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. They also examined focus areas such as crisis intervention and assessment, active threat preparedness, Clery Act compliance and records maintenance, and property and evidence management.
CALEA accreditation is in effect for four years, during which the agency must submit annual reports and other documents demonstrating continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.
In 2016, OSUPD adopted and implemented state standards established by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board to further strengthen its commitment to the safety of the Ohio State community. The state standards are designed to strengthen relations among Ohio police agencies and the communities they serve, address use of force, agency recruitment and hiring. The Board also evaluates bias-free policing, investigation of employee misconduct, community engagement and more.
OSUPD’s next assessment is scheduled for spring 2024. The division strives to demonstrate daily compliance and will be evaluated once each year before receiving the next award.
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