The SDSU University Police Department (UPD) is going through a reaccreditation process to renew their accreditation for a third time, UPD Chief Tim Heaton announced Thursday.

UPD became the first accredited agency in the region in 2017 and was reaccredited in 2021.

Fewer than 100 agencies are accredited by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), according to a June article from The Elm, the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s student newspaper.

To achieve accreditation, UPD will have to comply with 227 standards. A team of assessors from the IACLEA will survey UPD’s policy and procedures, management, operation and support services.

The voluntary accreditation is “a highly prized recognition of campus public safety professional excellence,” Heaton said in a press release by University Marketing and Communications.

“Becoming the first accredited university police department in the state and multistate region was truly an honor,” Heaton said. “We look forward to this opportunity to demonstrate that we continue to meet all national law enforcement and public safety standards.”

The assessment will start Sunday, Oct. 26. The IACLEA is inviting feedback and public comments regarding UPD’s ability to comply with the IACLEA’s standards.

To provide feedback, call 605-688-6272 from 2-4 p.m. today, Monday, Oct. 27. To submit written comments, email [email protected].

Once the assessors complete their review of the department, they will report to IACLEA, which will then decide if the SDSU Police Department is to continue with its accreditation status.