PHILADELPHIA -- The University of Pennsylvania Police Department, after undergoing a voluntary reassessment, has retained international accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc.

During the spring, a CALEA team of assessors, comprised of law enforcement practitioners from similar -- but out-of-state -- agencies, analyzed all aspects of the Penn Police Department policy and procedures, management, operations and support services.  The department had to meet 446 standards to gain accredited status.  The assessors reviewed written materials, interviewed individuals and visited offices and other areas to observe compliance.  

"CALEA accreditation recognizes that the Penn Police Department is among the elite professional law enforcement agencies that have demonstrated excellence and professionalism in the delivery of law enforcement services to the community in which it serves," said Maureen Rush, Penn's vice president for public safety.  "Verification that the department met the Commission state-of-the-art standards was part of a voluntary process to retain accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence."