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An assessor from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will be in Amherst July 9-11 to examine all aspects of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Police Department’s (UMPD) policies and procedures, management, operations and support services.

Verification by the assessor that UMPD meets the commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain re-accreditation, a sought-after recognition of public safety professional excellence. UMPD was awarded their initial national accreditation in 2012.

Individuals who would like to comment regarding UMPD’s compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the community, delivery of public safety services and overall candidacy for accredited status can visit this website.

The assessor for CALEA is Vince Line, the chief of operations for the Denver Sheriff’s Department in Denver, Colo. Once the CALEA assessor completes his review of the agency, he reports his findings to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted reaccredited status.

Accreditation is for four years, during which UMPD must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.