Assessors from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) will conduct an on-site assessment of The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Police Department from March 22–24. The assessment team will examine all aspects of the department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services.
Verification by the assessment team that UTMB PD meets IACLEA’s professional standards is part of the voluntary process for achieving accreditation. This internationally recognized designation demonstrates a campus public safety agency’s commitment to professional excellence and continuous improvement.
University members, agency employees, and the public are invited to offer comments by calling 229-395-9935 on Monday, March 23, between the hours of 7–9 a.m. Comments will be taken by the assessment team.
Telephone comments must address the department’s ability to comply with IACLEA’s standards. The IACLEA Accreditation Standards Manual is available on the IACLEA website.
Anyone wishing to submit written comments about UTMB PD’S ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may email them to jmurphy@iaclea.org.
The UTMB PD has to comply with over 90 standards in order to achieve accredited status. For UTMB PD, accreditation represents a commitment to excellence in law enforcement and organizational accountability. The process challenges the department to regularly review and improve policies, training, and operations to ensure they meet recognized professional standards.
UTMB Police department currently holds Law Enforcement Accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), and pursuing this additional accreditation reflects the agency’s ongoing dedication to professional growth and to providing the highest level of service to the UTMB community.
The International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) will conduct an assessment of the UTMB Police Department as part of the department’s pursuit of accreditation. The assessment team will consist of experienced campus law enforcement professionals from outside the state. During the assessment, the team will review written materials, interview individuals, and inspect facilities to verify compliance with IACLEA’s accreditation standards.
The assessment team will be led by Dr. Sonya Johnson, police planning and research manager for the Albany Police Department. Once the assessment is complete, the team will report its findings to International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, which will determine whether the UTMB Police Department will be granted accredited status.
Melina Aguirre serves as the accreditation manager for the UTMB Police Department and is responsible for coordinating the department’s accreditation process. Accreditation is for four years, during which the department must submit annual reports attesting to continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.
The UTMB Police Department is proud to participate in the accreditation process as part of its continued commitment to providing professional, transparent, and effective public safety services to the UTMB community.