Public safety accreditation assessment team invites public comment

A team of assessors from the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) will arrive to the University of Michigan-Flint (UM-Flint) campus on June 6, 2018, to examine all aspects of the Department of Public Safety's policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services Chief Raymond Hall announced today.

"Verification by the team that the University of Michigan-Flint Department of Public Safety meets the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission's best practice standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, which is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence", said Chief Raymond Hall, UM-Flint Director of Public Safety.

As part of this final On-Site Assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the Assessment Team. They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call (810) 424-5560 or (810) 424-5562 on Thursday June 7, 2018, between the hours of 9:00am-11:00am. Email comments can be sent via www.umflint.edu/safety/comments-suggestions-or-concerns.

Telephone comments are limited to five (5) minutes and must address the agency's ability to comply with the Commission's standards. A copy of the standards are available for inspection at the administrative office of the University of Michigan-Flint Department of Public Safety. Please contact Heather McDonald, Executive Sergeant at (810) 762-3330.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Department of Public Safety's ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation Program manager at [email protected] or write the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 3474 Alaiedon Pkwy, Suite 600, Okemos, MI 48864.

The Department of Public Safety must comply with 105 standards in order to achieve accredited status.

"Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and more confidence in the agency's ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs," Chief Hall indicated.

The Accreditation Program Manager for the MACP is Ret. Chief Neal Rossow.

"The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar Michigan law enforcement agencies," Rossow stated. "The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed. Once the assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status", Rossow added.

Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

The MACP, through its Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of Michigan. For more information regarding the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, please write the Commission at:

MACP, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 3474 Alaiedon Pkwy, Suite 600, Okemos, MI 48864 or email at [email protected].