Accrediting organization seeks public comment on CLC Police Department

An international police accrediting organization is seeking feedback on the College of Lake County Police Department as an assessment team plans to visit CLC May 6.

The examination visit is part of the Police Department's voluntary effort to seek accreditation from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. Receiving accreditation is a distinctive mark of excellence for a campus police department, said CLC Police Chief Tom Guenther.

To achieve IACLEA's stamp of approval, the Police Department must comply with 215 standards. "We must thoroughly review all protocols, policies, procedures and infrastructure," Chief Guenther said. "This review process transforms a police agency into a higher-performing one, as the adoption of nationally recognized best practices guides the agency for years to come."

The IACLEA accreditation standards manual is available online at www.iaclea.org. College faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to offer comments by calling (847) 848-1119 on Monday, May 7 from 2-4 p.m. Telephone comments, which will be taken by the IACLEA assessment team, must address the department's ability to comply with IACLEA's standards. Submit written comments to: IACLEA Accreditation, 1110 Bonifant Street, Suite 220, Silver Spring, Md. 20910.

Chief Guenther said the assessment team is comprised of experienced campus law enforcement professionals from Texas and Connecticut who will review written materials, interview individuals and inspect facilities. Following review, the assessors will report back to IACLEA, which decides if the department is to be granted accredited status.

"Accreditation is for four years, during which our department would be required to submit annual reports documenting compliance with IACLEA's standards," Chief Guenther said.

For more information about the CLC Police Department, visit www.clcillinois.edu/clcpolice.