UCPD joins next round of Ohio law enforcement agencies pursuing accreditation

The University of Cincinnati Police Division is pleased to announce that it is among 20 Ohio law enforcement agencies that will pursue accreditation through the new Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.

Governor Mike DeWine created the program in 2024 to recognize law enforcement agencies that voluntarily meet or exceed nearly three dozen state standards that address various core responsibilities such as professional conduct, bias-free policing, crisis intervention, and community engagement. The program, which is the only state-administered accreditation program in the nation that does not charge law enforcement agencies to participate, is voluntary and open to all law enforcement agencies in the state.

“We look forward to going through the process of accreditation with the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program and reinforcing our ongoing commitment to holding the UCPD to the highest standards of professionalism,” said Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety Eliot Isaac.

The UCPD has been accredited twice by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA).

“The Ohio Collaborative team is honored to be working with the UCPD, an agency dedicated to safeguarding our future leaders while they learn. Together, we hope to help guide, and walk alongside UCPD on this pathway to excellence,” said Ed Burkhammer, Director of Law Enforcement Services for the Office of Criminal Justice Services.

This third phase of the program follows the initial announcement of 10 accredited agencies in the state to complete the process and the second phase of 20 agencies pursuing accreditation.

Along with UCPD, the phase III agencies include: Akron Children’s Hospital Police Department, Boardman Township Police Department, Brewster Police Department, Canton Police Department, Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Metroparks Police Department, Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfield Police Department, Granville Police Department, Greater Cleveland RTA Police Department, Hilliard Police Department, Independence Police Department, Marion Police Department, Medina Township Police Department, Ohio Investigative Unit, Ohio Veteran’s Home Police Department, Troy Police Department, Twinsburg Police Department, and Wood County Parks District Police Department.

The accreditation program expands on a separate program - the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Certification Program - which has certified more than 600 law enforcement agencies, including the UCPD, on specific best practices regarding use of force and law enforcement recruitment, hiring, and screening. All certification standards are considered mandatory for accreditation.

The Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board was created in 2015 to strengthen law enforcement’s relationship with the public. It works in coordination with the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services and consults with the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association.

Featured image at top: From left, Captain Jeffrey Thompson, Assistant Chief Dudley Smith, Director of Law Enforcement Services for the Office of Criminal Justice Services Ed Burkhammer, Clery Compliance Specialist Nicole Haberer, Captain Dave Hoffman, Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety Eliot Isaac, and Chief of Staff John DeJarnette pose after the UCPD officially signed to join the next round of law enforcement agencies that will pursue accreditation through the new Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. Photo by Connor Boyle.