The University of Chicago Police Department was re-accredited with Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The UCPD achieved their initial accreditation in 2014.

The University of Chicago Police Department is one of only 81 university police departments in the United States currently accredited by CALEA, and remains the only CALEA accredited university police department in Illinois. The UCPD also maintains dual accreditation by CALEA and the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA).

In April, a team of assessors from CALEA conducted an “agency assessment,” examining and auditing all aspects of the UCPD’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. Verification by the assessment team that the department meets the Commission’s stringent standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation.

The assessors reviewed written materials, interviewed key personnel, held public and telephone comment sessions, and conducted a facility inspection for evidence of compliance.

“Receiving the CALEA re-accreditation again shows that the members of the UCPD perform their duties to the highest standards set in law enforcement today,” said Eric M. Heath, the University of Chicago’s Associate Vice President for Safety and Security. “I am proud of the hard work required of our officers and staff to achieve this designation, which demonstrates the UCPD’s commitment to our community and the consistently high level of service throughout the agency.”

Accreditation is for four years, during which time the agency must submit annual reports and documentation of continuing compliance with standards.