Accreditation is a voluntary process for law enforcement agencies. The SF State department completed the three-year process in only one and a half years. Assessors from three other police agencies in the country spent three days examining SFSUPD policies, procedures and practices. Agencies must be in compliance with at least 80 percent of the applicable standards -- the SF State Police Department met 91 percent of the standards.

SF State's efforts were directed by Kirk Gaston, police chief; Amalia Borja, deputy chief; and Martha Villanueva, administrative assistant to the chief.

"I am very pleased by and proud of these accreditations," said Gaston. "Through each of these processes the department has demonstrated that not only do our written policies and procedures meet exacting professional standards, but that we hold ourselves accountable to those standards and remain committed to providing the highest quality of service to our community."

The San Francisco State University Police Department, which serves a campus community of approximately 32,000, is made up of 39 sworn law enforcement officers including investigators, motor officers, K-9 officers, bicycle officers, a sexual assault response team and tactical officers. Several of the SF State Police Department personnel are SF State alumni. The Department also employs between 20 to 30 students in a variety of jobs and strives to develop students both academically and professionally by providing mentoring through work experience.

The International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) is a membership organization founded in 1958 to advance public safety and provide resources, advocacy and professional development services for educational institutions. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) was founded in 1979 as a credentialing authority to improve the delivery of public safety services by maintaining a body of standards and recognizing professional excellence.

-- Denize Springer