USM Police Department Earns National Re-Accreditation

Tue, 04/26/2022 - 01:37pm | By: Van Arnold

Through a continuing commitment to professional excellency in policy and practice, The University of Southern Mississippi’s Police Department has earned national re-accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA®).

Chief Rusty Keyes and UPD CALEA Manager Sgt. David Byrd were on hand to receive the department’s fifth accreditation award during the annual CALEA Conference held recently in Orlando, Fla. The USM department was first recognized by CALEA in 2005 and earned its first accreditation in 2009 under former Chief Bob Hopkins.

"CALEA Accreditation is the gold standard for public safety organizations,” said Keyes. “With consistent internal and external reviews once every four years, combined with third-party validation of our policies and procedures, is critical in the delivery of high-quality public safety services and promotes accountability.”

The purpose of CALEA Accreditation is to establish a foundation within public safety agencies that focuses on achieving the best outcomes for the delivery of services. Consistent internal and external review, combined with third-party validation of an agency’s policies and procedures, is critical in the delivery of high-quality public safety services and promotes accountability.

Although accreditation does not prevent all negative outcomes, it does set the court for success and provides a tool for review and ongoing measurement against stated objectives. It results in data which agency leadership use for policy decisions, as well as to share with community members and stakeholders.

The USM Police Department includes 40 sworn officers; a civilian security staff of eight; five dispatchers, and three civilian staff members.

For more information about the Southern Miss UPD, call 601.266.4986 or visit: https://www.usm.edu/police/index.php