June 2006

A Credit to the Force

GW’s University Police Department Receives CALEA Certification

By Maureen Ryan

The George Washington University Police Department (UPD) recently received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), becoming one of a highly selected few college and university police departments in the country formally recognized by the association. GW’s UPD joins an elite 1 percent of college/ university police departments nationwide to have achieved this distinction. CALEA is the same accreditation body that accredits state, local, tribal, and federal law enforcement entities. DC’s Metropolitan Police Department and Georgetown University’s Public Safety Department are currently in the self-assessment process of seeking accreditation, and both UPD Chief Dolores Stafford and UPD’s Accreditation Manager Mark Balazik are serving
as assessors for CALEA.

The UPD underwent a rigorous process to receive accreditation, a five-phase process that began with an application to CALEA four years ago. During the approval process UPD submitted proofs of compliance for each of the 450 standards set by CALEA, went through several on-site assessments, and attended a public hearing at which CALEA heard testimony from agency personnel, assessors, staff, and members of the community.

Of what prompted her to apply for accreditation, Stafford explained, “I always believed that we were one of the better campus police departments on the East Coast. This gave us the opportunity to prove that it was true.”

Stafford is working to make this achievement and its meaning known to the GW community. “We’re making sure that the accreditation logo shows up on key marketing materials. We want parents to get a feel for what the accreditation means.” Officers are wearing the pin on their uniforms, and the department is sending a letter to Parent Association members to let them know about the accreditation. CALEA also sent letters describing UPD’s success to city leaders in the District.

As an accredited agency, UPD is required to comply with new standards as they are developed, such as training its staff in incident command and emergency preparedness that is NIMS- (National Incident Management System) compliant. Operating procedures, personnel practices, equipment, and facilities are all subject to meeting CALEA standards.

Personnel Benefits
“It has helped morale tremendously,” said Stafford. “Our officers feel a sense of pride for being part of the department.”

It also has supported the department’s recruitment efforts. Stafford explained, “Because of the accreditation, we’re getting a good mix of candidates, not only ones coming out of college, but those who already have law enforcement experience and who are interested in campus law enforcement as
a career opportunity.” She also noted that more than 60 percent of her UPD officers have already earned a college degree.

Stafford credits the positive work environment at GW with her staff’s longevity. Twenty-five percent of her officers have been watching over the University for more than 15 years and another 30 percent have been at GW between five and 10 years. “It’s been interesting to watch how the growth of campus law enforcement as a viable entity and potential choice for a career have changed the dynamic of what has happened to the police force, even in my time, at GW,” said Stafford.
From a personal standpoint, Stafford said she continues to draw a great deal of satisfaction from her job. “Under the leadership of President Trachtenberg and Vice President Chernak, GW has continued to grow and flourish, which has made my job fun,” said Stafford. “It’s never boring, never the same thing every day. The University has grown so much under their leadership that my job has remained challenging.”

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu