Virginia Tech Police Department reaccredited for third time by international group
The Virginia Tech Police Department strives to enhance safety and improve quality of life for the entire campus community through effective law enforcement, proactive crime prevention, and community outreach.
Committing to both national and international law enforcement accreditation standards is just one method the Virginia Tech Police Department uses to help achieve this mission. The department recently earned its third accreditation from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA).
IACLEA accreditation helps ensure agencies are meeting the highest level of law enforcement standards, which encompass policies, procedures, training, equipment, and much more. The IACLEA accreditation process involves the review of department policies and practices against best practices by a recognized external body. It is offered every four years.
IACLEA is the largest international association devoted to excellence in campus public safety and law enforcement. IACLEA membership includes more than 4,200 members representing over 1,000 higher education institutions in 11 countries around the globe.
“The Virginia Tech Police Department is proud to receive its third IACLEA accreditation. While a voluntary process, accreditation is a critical tool in ensuring we are serving the university community to the best of our abilities and with the utmost professionalism. I am grateful for the hard work of all Virginia Tech Police Department members involved in the extensive accreditation process,” said Virginia Tech Police Chief Mac Babb.
Along with IACLEA reaccreditation, the police department earned its eighth consecutive reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA) in 2019. CALEA develops standards based on international best practices in public safety and establishes and administers the accreditation process for law enforcement agencies. CALEA assesses agencies’ community policies, procedures, equipment, facilities, and more.
If anyone knows the ins and outs of the accreditation process – and all that it takes to prepare for an accreditation – it is Denise Mantey, accreditation and records coordinator for the Virginia Tech Police Department.
As accreditation coordinator – a role she has held since 1994 – Mantey is responsible for managing the comprehensive preparation process for IACLEA and CALEA, which includes organizing records and documentation, delivering training for the university community, and collaborating closely with the accrediting bodies.
Mantey began serving with the Virginia Tech Police Department in 1990 as a communications officer. She transitioned to the department’s administrative unit in 1994 and has been leading the accreditation process ever since.
Mantey will be retiring at the end of June, ending a 30-year-long career with Virginia Tech. She said she will miss being a part of such a hard-working and collaborative department.
“On behalf of the Virginia Tech Police Department, I want to share my sincere gratitude for Denise’s dedicated efforts in leading the accreditation process all these years. She has exhibited exceptional dedication and service to the department and the safety of the campus community at-large. We wish her the very best in her next chapter,” said Babb.
Written by Christy Myers
Related links:
