In July, UT Police Sergeant Everton Long received an accreditation manager certification award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) during the organization’s summer conference in Chicago. The certification brings recognition while providing a platform to be viewed as an expert in the field of CALEA accreditation. Long is now one of only 3 certified accreditation managers in the UT System.

This year, the CALEA Accreditation Manager Certification was presented to seven accreditation managers from CALEA accredited agencies who have provided significant contributions to the public safety profession.

Long was assigned to the role of Accreditation Manager for UT Police in 2005 and has since become an industry expert with global understanding of the accreditation process, ensuring the continued accreditation of UT Police from three agencies: CALEA along with International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) and the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TCPA).

“The benefits of being CALEA Accredited include liability protection, organized training, consistency, and fairness in policy,” Long said. “It sets a course for success and provides tools for review and ongoing measurement against stated objectives.”

Being an accredited organization assures that UT Police has access to best practices resources and is an indicator of high-quality care and safety.

“Accreditation is a journey, not a destination,” Long said. “We must keep at it to ensure the agency continues to maintain best practices and be adaptable to the ever-changing environment in which we serve.”