Accreditation FAQ for IACLEA Web Site
What is IACLEA Accreditation?
Accreditation of a campus public safety department by IACLEA constitutes recognition
that the department conforms to the highest professional standards
for campus law enforcement and protective services.
Who is eligible for IACLEA Accreditation?
IACLEA offers accreditation services to college and university sworn law enforcement
agencies and non sworn security and public safety departments.
What are the standards for IACLEA Accreditation?
The Accreditation Standards, established by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), provide the basis for IACLEA Accreditation. The Standards provide a framework to develop a system of professional practices in a variety of administrative and operational areas, such as organization and administration, training and career development, patrol, crime prevention and investigation, evidence collection and management, and traffic operations. IACLEA has developed additional standards, unique to campus public safety, which are incorporated into the Accreditation process. Documents developed and published by IACLEA determine which of the CALEA law enforcement standards must be met in order to achieve campus public safety Accreditation. While agencies are expected
to comply with all applicable standards, these standards typically prescribe
what a department should do. The standards do not dictate how a department
should implement the standard. That is up to the department and its director
or chief.
What are the main benefits of IACLEA Accreditation?
IACLEA Accreditation provides a professional benchmark with which to measure
a campus public safety department’s policies and practices. Accreditation
requires that procedures are documented and that personnel are given clear
guidance. It enhances the recruitment and retention of qualified personnel
and ensures that staff is trained and functions according to established
policies and procedures. Accreditation assures the university administration,
the community served, local law enforcement, and institutional peers of the
quality of services provided by a campus law enforcement, public safety,
or security department.
How much does it cost to attain IACLEA Accreditation?
Costs include an application, accreditation, and assessment fees. The application
fee is $350, which includes publications, forms, and contract. The fee is
non refundable, unless a department or agency is ineligible to participate
in the Accreditation program. The application fee will be applied to the
accreditation fee if the contract is signed by December 31, 2006. Effective
January 1, 2007, the application fee will only be applied to the accreditation
fee when the contract is signed within six (6) months of the application’s
submission.
The accreditation fee is graduated, based on the full-time equivalent enrollment
of the college or university. The fee may be paid in full or two annual installments.
Non-members will be assessed an additional $1,500.
| Number of FTE’s |
Single Payment |
Installment |
| 1,999 or fewer |
$4,896 |
$2,693 |
| 2,000-4,999 |
$5,386 |
$2,963 |
| 5,000-9,999 |
$5,925 |
$3,259 |
| 10,000-19,999 |
$6,518 |
$3,585 |
| 20,000 or more |
$7,170 |
$3,944 |
The assessment fee is $1,000 for each assessor assigned to conduct an Accreditation
review and $2,000 for the team leader. It is expected that each assessment
will require two (2) assessors and a team leader. Applicants also pay travel,
lodging, and meal expenses for the assessors.
Fees are subject to periodic review and change.
How should my department prepare for the Accreditation process?
Agencies interested in Accreditation are encouraged to purchase a copy of CALEA's 5th Edition Standards Manual directly from them. It may be ordered online through their web site (www.calea.org) or you may print and mail an order form to CALEA. IACLEA will identify which CALEA standards are required for IACLEA Accreditation.
If Accreditation seems attainable under these standards, the department can
submit an application for Accreditation.
Upon receipt of the Application, IACLEA will send the department an Accreditation
Agreement, an invoice, the Department Profile Questionnaire, and a copy of
the IACLEA Accreditation Process Manual. IACLEA recommends that the department
appoint a full-time Accreditation Manager to be assigned to coordinate the
department’s efforts. Training for Accreditation Managers will be available
at both the IACLEA Annual Conference and the Commission on Accreditation for
Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Conferences.
The department then has 36 months to complete the self-assessment process.
This includes a comprehensive review of its policies and procedures, the development
of written directives, and the implementation of systems to comply with applicable
standards. Departments must prepare and maintain files containing documentation
of its compliance with standards. Once the department is satisfied that it
has met the standards’ requirements, it notifies IACLEA to schedule an
onsite assessment.
How does the assessment process work?
IACLEA appoints a three-member assessment team to visit the campus and review
the department’s compliance with all applicable standards and to observe
its operations. Members of the assessment team are experienced campus law
enforcement professionals or trained and certified assessors from related
fields.
IACLEA carefully screens potential evaluators with input from the
candidate department to assure the assessor has no real or apparent conflict-of-interest.
The assessor’s relationship with the candidate department is non-adversarial.
The assessment generally consists of a tour of facilities, interviews with
agency personnel, a compliance review of applicable standards, and receipt
of public comment. The assessor will review all standards and verify applicable
standards as well as standards not applicable to the department. Assessors
will provide feedback to the department during the review. The assessors will
prepare a written report and submit it to IACLEA.
How is accreditation awarded?
IACLEA staff reviews the final report and sends a copy to the department. Following
a favorable report, staff will present the final report to the Compliance Review Plan of the IACLEA Accreditation Commission. If the Compliance Review Panel is satisfied that the department has met all compliance criteria, the Compliance Review panel will conduct a vote to recommend the agency to the full Commission for a final vote. The Commission shall review the Compliance Review Panel's recommendation and conduct a vote to award Accreditation. IACLEA Accreditation is awarded for a three-year period and will be officially
awarded at the IACLEA Annual Conference. The department is required to submit
annual reports attesting to its continuing compliance with standards.
Inquiries and Application Contact Information:
John Leonard, IACLEA Director of Accreditation & LEMAP Services
International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators
342 North Main Street
West Hartford, CT 06117-2507
Tel: (860) 586-7517, ext. 558
Fax: (860) 586-7550
Email:
