Award for Innovations in Community Oriented Policing Recipients

The IACLEA Award for Innovations in Community Oriented Policing is presented to an IACLEA institutional member for outstanding service and initiative supporting the effective promotion of the Community Oriented Policing philosophy. 

2018 Award Recipient: University of Dayton Police Department

The University of Dayton Police Department earned the 2018 Award for Innovations in Community Oriented Policing.  The agency created a community engagement team of two officers, whose primary function is to operate from a department substation and present safety-related programming, provide active shooter and self-defense classes, and attend student organization events.  Other community engagement efforts include: an International Police Academy, which focused on breaking down barriers between international students and the police; a Student Police Academy, which provided students an in-depth presentation on various police functions and then allowed the student an opportunity to perform those functions in a controlled setting; the Bar Owners and Alcohol Retailers Partnership, in which the chief invited bar owners and alcohol retailers to meet with campus stakeholders and discuss collaborative efforts to keep students safe; and the Advisory Collaboration on Public Safety, a dedicated group of students, faculty, and staff who meet regularly with the chief to discuss campus safety, ask questions, and share concerns. "We do the work that we do because we are passionate about it and feel it is our calling," said Rodney Chatman, University of Dayton executive director of public safety and chief of police. "However, it's difficult to find the words to express the gratitude I feel to be recognized for that work by your peers."

Photo by ©Mike Ritter 2018

Past Award Recipients

2018 - University of Dayton Police Department

2017 - Officer Gregory Felton, Virginia Commonwealth University

2016 – Sergeant Lesia Finney, Wake Forest University Police Department

2015 - Officer Jason Newton, Colorado College

2014 - Trinity University Police Department, San Antonio, TX

2013 - The Santa Fe College Police Department, Gainesville, FL