University of Delaware Chief of Police Pat Ogden (third from left) receives the department’s re-accreditation certificate at CALEA’s annual conference in November 2024. Chief Ogden is seen with, from left, CALEA Commission chairman Marlon Lynch; UD Police Sergeant Jeff Gates; and CALEA executive director Craig Hartley.

UD Police earns re-accreditation

Article by Christopher A. Vito Photos by Evan Krape November 26, 2024

The University’s police department and its 911 call center receive re-accreditation from the nation’s leading law enforcement credentialing agency

The University of Delaware Police Department has received another four-year accreditation cycle from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA). The department’s 911 Communication Center also earned re-accreditation.

This is the sixth consecutive cycle in which the UD Police Department has earned accreditation from CALEA, and the second such cycle for the Communication Center.

CALEA is the nation’s leading law enforcement credentialing agency. Accreditation is awarded to police and public safety departments following extensive self-assessment, as well as review by independent assessors and input from University officials and the public. CALEA officially conferred UD Police’s latest accreditation during the agency’s annual fall conference, held Nov. 13-16 in Jacksonville.

“This recognition from CALEA serves as acknowledgement that we hold our police department to the highest industry standards — all while maintaining a firm commitment to protecting our community,” said Patrick Ogden, associate vice president and chief of UD Police. “I could not be prouder of our ongoing work and the daily effort put forth by everyone in our department to keep the University of Delaware a safe place to live, learn, work and visit.”

University of Delaware Police Chief Patrick Ogden discusses his department and general campus safety measures during the annual Graduate Student Orientation in fall 2023.

Officials from CALEA as part of their review conducted voluntary engagement. This component of UD Police’s accreditation process sought candid insights and experiences from members of the University community and beyond as a means of verifying the department’s compliance with professional standards. CALEA’s final report noted UD Police’s “great working relationship” with other agencies, including Delaware State Police and Newark Police. UD students shared details of “very positive” interactions with UDPD. The report also identified engagement with “the university community through programming and special events” to “build relationships between the university and the local community.” Finally, CALEA wrote that “the agency (UDPD) appears to be well thought of,” describing UD Police as “professional, respectful and always willing to help members of the community irrespective of whether or not they were a member of the university.”

Accreditation from CALEA requires a review of all department policies, practices and processes against internationally accepted public safety standards. Independent assessors gather public feedback and interview select personnel and other University administrators. The decision to achieve accreditation is made by a governing body of 21 CALEA commissioners after a public hearing and review of the documentation.

Police departments that earn accreditation are those that demonstrate the highest standards in law enforcement, including:

practicing fact-based and informed management decision making;
exhibiting preparedness for emergency situations;
possessing relationship-building skills; and
continuously pursuing excellence through reviews and other assessment measures.

Of note, the UD Police Department’s 911 Communication Center also received CALEA accreditation. UD Police’s 911 call center is one of only six university law enforcement agencies in the country to hold CALEA accreditation, which is considered one of the highest recognitions of exemplary public safety communications.

More information about the CALEA is available at the commission's website.