Campus Law Enforcement Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public to Comment

February 8, 2018

Baylor Police Department seeks accreditation as recognition of campus public safety excellence

Media contact: Tonya B. Hudson, (254) 710-4656
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WACO, Texas (Feb. 8, 2018) – A team of assessors from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) will be on campus Sunday, March 11, as the Baylor University Police Department (BUPD) seeks IACLEA accreditation—a highly prized recognition of campus public safety professional excellence.

The assessors will examine all aspects of the Baylor University Police Department's policy and procedures, management, operation and support services, said Mark G. Childers, associate vice president of the Department of Public Safety.

"Verification by the team that the Baylor University Police Department meets IACLEA's state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation," said Brad Wigtil, BUPD Chief.

University members, agency employees and the public are invited to offer comments by calling 254-710-7022 on Monday, March 12, between 1 and 3 p.m. The IACLEA Assessment Team will receive the comments.

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 at www.iaclea.org.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Baylor University Police Department's ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to IACLEA Accreditation, 1110 Bonifant St., Suite 220, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

"The Baylor University Police Department has to comply with 215 standards in order to achieve accredited status," Wigtil said. "The accreditation process will enhance the police department's ability to serve the Baylor University community."

The accreditation manager for Baylor University Police Department, Sgt. Andrew Huntington, said the assessment team is composed of experienced campus law enforcement professionals from out-of-state. The assessors are Assistant Chief Raymond A. Bouchard (Ret.) and team leader and Capt. Scott G. Vanscoy. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and inspect facilities to verify compliance.

"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," Huntington 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.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.