Accreditation provides public safety agencies with an opportunity to voluntarily meet an established set of professional standards, which require comprehensive and uniform written directives that clearly define authority, performance, and responsibilities; reports and analyses to make fact-based and informed management decisions; preparedness to address natural or man-made critical incidents; community relationship-building and maintenance; independent review by subject matter experts; and, continuous pursuit of excellence through annual reviews and other assessment measures.

The MTSU Police Department currently maintains international Law Enforcement Accreditation status through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA®).

As part of this process, the Department is required to maintain one hundred eighty-three (183) applicable standards that provide best practices related to life, health, and safety procedures, and are considered foundational for contemporary law enforcement agencies. CALEA’s Law Enforcement Accreditation program provides the framework for addressing high risk issues within a contemporary environment, and ensures officers are prepared to meet basic community service expectations and prepared to manage critical events. 

The MTSU Police Department appeared before the Commission in Huntsville, Alabama and was awarded initial accreditation on May 4, 2019. The Department is scheduled for its first reaccreditation site-based assessment on March 13-15, 2023.

Community Comments & Feedback

CALEA makes available a public access portal to allow for comment and feedback from the community regarding any candidate agency seeking initial accreditation or reaccreditation status. Access is provided as an opportunity for comments, commendations, and other information regarding an agency’s quality of service or other information relevant to the accreditation process.

Comments and feedback on the performance of the MTSU Police Department and their commitment to service, integrity, and professionalism may be submitted through CALEA’s Public Access Portal: https://cimrs2.calea.org/623