MEDIA RELEASE

Accreditation Team Invites Public Comment in
Assessment of CSUN Department of Public Safety

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., March 3, 2008) — A team of assessors from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) will arrive at Cal State Northridge next month to examine all aspects of the university’s Department of Public Safety policies and procedures, management, operation and support services.

The visit, which will take place the week of April 6, is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation—a highly prized recognition of law enforcement/public safety professional excellence.

"The assessment team is comprised of experienced campus law enforcement professionals from out of state," said CSUN Police Chief Anne Glavin. "The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and inspect facilities where compliance can be witnessed. Once the assessors complete their review, they will report back to the IACLEA, which will then decide if the department is to be granted accreditation status."

As part of the review process, university personnel, students and the public are invited to offer their comments about how CSUN’s Department of Public Safety performs by calling the assessment team at (818) 677-7788 between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon on April 7 and 8.

The assessment team will be comprised of Chief Thomas C. Younce, team leader with the North Carolina State University Police Department, Commander Kathleen Paleski (Ret.) of the Northern Arizona University Police Department and Lt. John K. Jacobs with the University of Richmond Police Department.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about CSUN’s Department of Public Safety’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to IACLEA, 342 N. Main St., West Hartford, CT 06117-2507.

Cal State Northridge’s Department of Public Safety has to comply with 275 standards in order to achieve accreditation status. Glavin noted that while Capt. Scott Vanscoy is overseeing the department’s accreditation application, "the overall process has truly been a team effort of 15 individuals who assisted in policy and procedure development, crafting operations procedures, organizing equipment and inventories and conducting training."

"This is the culmination of a four-year effort to have our department be recognized professionally as one of the best in the nation," Vanscoy said.

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

Copies of the standards are available for review at Department of Public Safety, located at 9222 Darby Ave., Northridge. For more information, contact Christina Villalobos at (818) 677-7922.