Ball State University's Department of Public Safety is seeking accreditation by one of the top law enforcement commissions in the nation as part of a continuing process to improve policing of the campus community.

The department has started an intensive program to achieve national accreditation provided by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), based in Fairfax, Va. The commission has accredited 600 police agencies, including 47 campus law enforcement departments.

"Accreditation by the commission is highly valued in our field and should assure members of the campus and Muncie communities that our department adheres to the highest standards," said Gene Burton, Ball State's public safety director. "We are seeking accreditation to ensure that our service to the public is the best it can be."

Burton said the accreditation process is a natural outgrowth of a review of the department in 2002 by private consultants. The reviewers provided a list of recommendations for improving the public safety department.

The purpose of the commission's accreditation program is to improve delivery of law enforcement service by offering standards. The standards are developed by law enforcement practitioners, covering a wide range of up-to-date law enforcement topics.

In order to receive accreditation, Ball State police must comply with more than 400 standards established by CALEA. If accreditation is granted, Ball State would be the only campus police agency in Indiana with such status, Burton said.

The goals of the accreditation process include strengthening crime prevention and control capabilities, formalizing essential management procedures, establishing fair and nondiscriminatory personnel practices, improving service delivery, solidifying interagency cooperation and coordination, and boosting citizen and staff confidence in the department, he said.

CALEA was established as an independent accrediting authority in 1979 by several major law enforcement membership associations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs' Association and Police Executive Research Forum.

Burton has appointed Robert Fey, associate director of public safety as the accreditation manager.

The process, conducted over 36 months, includes application, self-assessment, on-site assessment and commission review. Once accredited, the department must submit annual reports to the commission attesting to compliance in order to maintain its status.

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Burtonat gburton@bsu.edu or (765) 285-1832. Fey may be reached at rfey@bsu.edu or (765) 285-1210. More information about CALEA may be found at www.calea.org.)