Assessment Team to Examine LUPD for National Accreditation

A team of assessors from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) will arrive on campus on January 15, 2017, to examine all aspects of Lehigh’s state-accredited police department. The review will examine Lehigh University Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operation and support services, according to Chief Ed Shupp.

Verification by the assessment team that Lehigh University Police Department meets IACLEA’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain national accreditation – a highly prized recognition of Lehigh’s public safety professional excellence, Shupp said.  If approved, Lehigh would be the second college or university in the state to be accredited by IACLEA.  

Members of the campus community and public are invited to offer comments on the accreditation process by calling 610-758-4475 between the hours of 12 to 2 p.m. Mon., January 16, 2017.  Comments will be taken by the assessment team. Written comments should be sent to IACLEA Accreditation, 342 N. Main St., West Hartford, CT 06117-2507.

The comments should address the department’s ability to comply with IACLEA standards, which can be viewed at www.iaclea.org.

Lehigh University Police Department has to comply with more than 215 standards in order to achieve accredited status, Shupp said.

The accreditation manager for the LUPD is Lt. Rich McGarr, who will work with the assessment team of experienced law enforcement professionals from out-of-state. Assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and inspect facilities. The group assessing the LUPD will be led by Assistant Chief Raymond Bouchard from Enfield, Conn. Also serving on the assessment team will be Lt. Bruce Holt of the Brown University Department of Public Safety, and Lt. Tamara McCollough of the Indiana State University Police Department.

Once the assessors complete their review of the department, they will report back to IACLEA, and a decision on accreditation will be rendered, Shupp said.

The accreditation period is for four years, during which time the LUPD must continue to submit annual reports attesting to ongoing compliance with the accreditation standards.

Photo by Christa Neu