The Northern Arizona University Police Department (NAUPD) is seeking its initial accreditation through the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP) Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ALEAP).
While the ALEAP would be another state level accreditation, NAUPD has held international accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) since 1995 when it became the sixth police department in Arizona and the ninth university police department in the country to do so.
Assessors from ALEAP will meet on-site beginning November 28, to examine all aspects of the NAUPD policies, procedures, management, operations and support services. Verification by the team of assessors that NAUPD meets ALEAP standards is part of a voluntary process for accreditation in this highly recognized achievement in the law enforcement profession.
“The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar Arizona law enforcement agencies,” said Kevin E. Rhea, ALEAP, Accreditation Program Manager. “The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed. Once the assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.”
As part of the on-site assessment, members of the NAU community and the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team by phone, email or in writing. Comments must address NAUPD’s ability to comply with the commission’s standards. A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the NAUPD office at 525 E Pine Knoll Drive.
Email comments can be sent to kevin.rhea@azchiefsofpolice.org.
Telephone comments can be made 10-11 a.m. (MST) on Wednesday, November 29, by calling (928) 523-1097. Calls are limited to five minutes.
Written comments can be mailed to the Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program at 75 E. Civic Center Drive, Gilbert, AZ 48296.
For additional information about the accreditation process or commission standards, contact NAUPD Accreditation Manager Michael Navarro at (928) 523-1254.