A site-based accreditation team from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®) will arrive at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center June 10 to examine all aspects of the UTHSC Campus Police Department’s policies and procedures, operations, management, and support services, said Campus Police Chief Anthony Berryhill.
Accreditation by the organization is a highly regarded recognition of public safety excellence. Verification by the assessment team that an organization meets CALEA’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process for accreditation.
As part of the assessment, members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session with campus police and the assessment team June 11 at 3:30 p.m. in the Schreier Auditorium in the Student-Alumni Center, 800 Madison Avenue.
Anyone unable to attend the public information session, but wishing to provide comments to the assessment team, may do so by telephone. On June 11, the public may call (901) 448-5710 between 1 and 3 p.m.
Telephone comments, as well as comments at the public information session, are limited to 10 minutes and must address the campus police department’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. A copy of the standards is available at the UTHSC Campus Police headquarters at 740 Court Avenue. The local contact is UTHSC Campus Police Sergeant Joanne Morrow, (901) 448-5679.
Those wishing to offer written comments concerning the department’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA®), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia 20155.
The UTHSC Campus Police Department must comply with 181 standards to gain accredited status.
Chief Berryhill has overseen expansion of the force and improvements in equipment, training, and operations since he joined the university in 2016. “My goal is to make certain that everyone sees the police presence and feels safe in this campus environment,” he said.
Accreditation is for four years, during which the agency must submit annual reports and participate in annual remote web-based assessments attesting continued compliance with accreditation standards.
For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. please write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia 20155; or call (703) 352-4225 or email calea@calea.org.