The journey started in 2019. Four years and thousands of work hours later, the CU Boulder Police Department has become the first local law enforcement agency to become nationally accredited. 

The award, from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), coincides with the five-year anniversary of the appointment of CUPD Chief of Police Doreen Jokerst. 

“Earning national accreditation has always been a strategic focus of mine, and I am thankful for the support from CU Boulder’s leadership and every member of the police department who worked tirelessly to make it happen,” said Jokerst. “Accreditation is a platform for excellence and aligns with our vision to be the top university law enforcement agency in the nation,” she added.

Department members used teamwork and collaboration to complete a five-step process, guided by CUPD accreditation manager Jen Barry. During the lengthy self-assessment phase that concluded this spring, CUPD showed compliance with 227 standards, including a new duty-to-intervene standard and a modified standard on medical aid after use of force. 

An on-site assessment in May included a thorough review of CUPD’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. 

The voluntary process to gain accreditation, a highly prized recognition of campus public safety professional excellence, is critical to ensuring community-centered policing, said Dan Jones, associate vice chancellor for integrity, safety and compliance. “The university has always supported this work and remains committed to assisting CUPD to maintain national accreditation,” he said.

Once accreditation is awarded, it is valid for four years. During that time, CUPD will continue to measure their performance against the standards, submitting annual reports demonstrating compliance to ensure the accreditation is renewed.