Public invited to comment on VCUPD accreditation assessment

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A team of assessors from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators will examine all aspects of the Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operation and support services on July 20.

The assessment is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation and verification that VCU’s Police Department meets IACLEA’s state-of-the-art standards. Accreditation is a highly prized recognition of professional excellence in campus public safety.

“The VCU Police Department has to comply with 210 standards in order to achieve accredited status,” VCU Police Chief John Venuti said. “I am proud of the department’s many accomplishments during the past four years. Earning accreditation by IACLEA will be a significant accomplishment, but, more importantly, a reminder of the cultural change and paradigm shift that has taken place within the VCU Police Department.”

University members, agency employees and the public are invited to offer comments by calling (804) 828-6722 on Monday, July 21, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Comments will be documented by the IACLEA assessment team. Comments made by telephone must address the department’s ability to comply with IACLEA’s standards.

A copy of the standards manual is available by contacting VCUPD at (804) 828-5932 or online at http://www.iaclea.org/visitors/PDFs/IAStandardsManual.pdf.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the VCU Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to IACLEA Accreditation, 342 N. Main St., West Hartford, CT 06117-2507.

The Accreditation Manager for VCU Police Department is Shana Mell. She can be reached by email at mellsm@vcu.edu or by calling (804) 828-5932.

Mell said IACELA’s assessment team is composed of experienced campus law enforcement professionals from all over the country. The assessors are Retired Assistant Chief Robert Fey (Ball State University Police Department), team leader; Capt. John Jacobs (University of Richmond Police Department); and Sgt. Kevin Roberto (University of Connecticut Police Department).

The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and inspect facilities where compliance can be witnessed. Once the assessors complete their review of the department, they will report back to IACLEA, which will then decide if the department will be granted accredited status, Mell said.

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.