A team of assessors from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) will arrive at the Missouri University of Science and Technology campus on Saturday, June 25, to examine all aspects of the University Police department, including policy and procedures, management, operation, and support services.

“Verification by the team that the Missouri S&T police meet IACLEA’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of campus public safety professional excellence,” says University Police Chief Christine Laughlin.

Missouri S&T faculty, staff and students, agency employees and the Rolla community are invited to offer comments by calling 573-341-6755 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Monday, June 27. Comments will be taken by the IACLEA assessment team.

Telephone comments must address the department’s ability to comply with IACLEA’s standards. A copy of the standards is available at the police department. Please contact Sgt. Letha Young, the department’s accreditation manager, at 573-341-4300 to view the standards.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments regarding the Missouri S&T police department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to IACLEA Accreditation, 342 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06117-2507.

The Missouri S&T police department has to comply with 293 standards in order to achieve accredited status.

“The assessment team is composed of experienced campus law enforcement professionals from out-of-state,” says Young. “The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and inspect facilities where compliance can be witnessed.”

The Missouri S&T assessment team will include Jerry D. Stewart, Iowa State director of public safety, Team Leader; Commander Kathleen Paleski (retired), and Commander Mark Bucalo, (retired), of the Buffalo Grove, Ill., Police Department.

Once the Assessors complete their review of the department, they will report back to IACLEA, which will then decide if the department is to be granted accredited status, Young says.

Accreditation is for a three-year period, during which the department must submit annual reports attesting to continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.