UB community invited to weigh in on police accreditation

Published December 9, 2019

A team of assessors from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) will visit UB Dec. 16 as part of the UB Police Department’s (UPD) voluntary effort to gain its second successive accreditation from the IACLEA.

The IACLEA is the largest professional association devoted to excellence in campus public safety and law enforcement. Accreditation is a prestigious recognition of a university’s adherence to sound policy and professional best practices.

University Police received its initial IACLEA accreditation in 2015.

University Police Chief Chris Bartolomei says meeting IACLEA’s state-of-the-art standards is a statement to the community about the department’s enhanced professionalism and accountability.

“We are proud to have received IACLEA accreditation,” says Bartolomei. “Adhering to nationally known best practices reflects well on the university, especially as many prospective students and their parents consider campus safety as a factor in evaluating a university.”

Members of the university community and the public are invited to offer feedback to the team by calling (716) 645-8913 from 1-3 p.m. on Dec. 16. Comments must address the department’s ability to comply with IACLEA’s standards.

Written comments also will be accepted and may be sent to IACLEA Accreditation, 1110 Bonifant St., Suite 330, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. Phone (855) 442-2532.

Deputy Chief Scott Marciszewski, accreditation manager for UPD, says the assessment team is composed of experienced campus law enforcement professionals from out of state. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and inspect UB facilities.

Once they have completed their review of the department, they will report back to IACLEA, which then will make the final determination on accreditation, Marciszewski says.

Accreditation is for four years; UPD must submit annual reports attesting to continued compliance with IACLEA standards.