University of New Haven’s Police Department First at Private College in Connecticut to Earn State Accreditation

September 13, 2017

The University of New Haven’s police department has become the first at a private college or university in the state to earn Tier I accreditation from the State of Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council. Only one-third of the police departments in Connecticut are accredited.

Accreditation reassures students, their families, faculty and staff of the high quality of the department. It is also important because our department needs to serve as a model for students at the university's world renowned Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences.

– Tracy Mooney, Chief of Police

The process to earn accreditation, which started in 2014, was led by Lindsey Michaels, who earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University in 2015 and a master’s degree in criminal investigations in 2017. She worked under the direction of Mooney and Assistant Chief Don Parker, to write and update the department’s entire catalogue of policies – a task typically delegated to a ranking officer within a police organization – all while achieving a 3.98 GPA.

"This was a tremendous undertaking," said Mooney. "Lindsey has become part of the police department family. She has the highest level of character and fully understands the demands and commitment of public service."

The accreditation review culminated this summer with an on-site visit completed by a team of independent assessors who compared the policies and practices of the University's police department to recognized standards of excellence in law enforcement services in Connecticut. As part of the review, the department met 134 standards as determined by the Connecticut Police Officers Standards and Training Council.

Police departments seeking accreditation must demonstrate that they have comprehensive, well-thought out directives; provide managers with fact-based, informed management decisions; have a preparedness program to address natural or man-made critical incidents; and strive for an excellent relationship with the community are accountable for their actions.

"Accredited law enforcement agencies demonstrate excellence in management and service delivery," said Ron Quagliani, associate vice president of public safety and administrative services. "This accomplishment is a testament to Chief Mooney and all of our dedicated officers who work tirelessly to keep our campus community safe."