Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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4 Campus police retain national accreditation Reprinted From The Gamecock 03/29/00 The Ssc Police Department lias been reaccredited after months .if planning and assessment. Director of Law Enforcement and Safety Ernie Ellis said the ac ;redilation might not be understtxid by the general public, but that oth ,'r law-enforcement agencies “appreciate the accomplishment.” A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. visited the USCPD in January to ex tmine its compliance with 355 standards, Ellis said. The assessors then reported back to a board of commissioners and recommended that the USCPD be reaccredited. The agency will remain accredited for three /ears. The USCPDwent through much preparation, including filing and documentation procedures, in order to have information in place for he assesses, Ellis said in a statement earlier this year. The assessors examined the department’s procedures, equipment md facilities, and examined the quality of such items as patrol cars, evidence storage and office space, Ellis said. Ellis said the assessors also sought the opinion of the USC cont lumily and received positive responses from students and adntinis .ralors. "The assessors were extremely impressed,” Ellis said Ellis said the USCPD’s professionalism and expertise separate it rom other agencies. “I don’t think there are any [agencies] that are more professional than the USCPD),” lie said. “We have a broad base of expertise to licet almost any challenge.” USCPD Deputy Director of Support Services Chris Wuchenich said he agreed with Ellis’ as sessment. “[The reaccreditation] demonstrates our lev el of professionalism,” he said. “I feel a great deal of pride in the division. We are a highly ded icated department.” Wuchenich also said the amount of training the USCPD’s officers receive is “second to none.” He said the USCPD’s officers are trained far be yond what is necessary. CALEA has been in existence since 1979 and was formed by several other law-enforcement membership associations. The other nnijor law-enforcement associations involved in forming CALEA include the Inter national Association of Chiefs of Police, the Na tional Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs’ Association and the Police Executive Research Forum. CALEA is an independent accrediting organi zation consisting of 21 members. 11 of which are practitioners. The remaining 10 are assigned by directors of four affiliated associations. Other accredited university police departments include the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s agency and the University of Florida’s de partment. Photo By Sean Rayford use I ANNUAL FUND! Now Hiring Callers • Great Resume Builder • Chance to Learn All About USC • Speak with Alumni • $5.25/ hour plus daily bonus 119 Byrnes Bldg • Across from the Horseshoe • 777-2985 JOIN THE TRADITION The Official Ring Of The University of South Carolina C7 o / / r H r /r w r/r vJLHJHH (available at the Russell House Bookstore) u_■ Messages of Redemption from God's Prophets Check out our Welcome Week events on the calendar in this publication!