A team of assessors from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) will arrive on July 17 to examine all aspects of the University of Houston-Downtown Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operation, and support services, Chief Casey J. Davis announced today.

Verification by the team that the University of Houston-Downtown Police Department (UHDPD) meets IACLEA’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of campus public safety professional excellence, said Chief Davis.

Agency employees and the public are invited to offer comments by calling 713-221-3346 on July 18 between the hours of 9-11 a.m. Comments will be taken by the assessment team.

Telephone comments must address the department’s ability to comply with IACLEA’s standards.  The IACLEA Accreditation Standards Manual is available on the IACLEA website (www.iaclea.org/standards).

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the University of Houston-Downtown Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation should send written correspondence to IACLEA, 1110 Bonifant Street, Suite 330 Silver Spring, MD 20910.

The University of Houston Downtown-Police Department has to comply with 227 standards, in order to achieve accredited status. “Accreditation is important because it demonstrates the department’s commitment to safety and professionalism across the board,” Davis said.

The Accreditation Manager for the University of Houston Downtown-Police Department is Lieutenant Vanessa Garza. She said the assessment team is composed of experienced campus law enforcement professionals. 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 is to be granted accredited status, Garza 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.