SMITHFIELD, RI – Bryant University’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) at a conference held in Providence last week.
CALEA is a credentialing authority with the mission to improve the delivery of public safety services by maintaining standards, recognizing professional excellence, and accrediting public safety agencies, including law enforcement agencies, training academies, communications centers, and campus public safety agencies.
The organization recently expanded from certifying sworn law enforcement agencies to non-sworn college and university public safety departments. Bryant is one of only four non-sworn departments in the country to receive the CALEA certification.
Bryant Director of Public Safety Stephen M. Bannon and Assistant Director John Rainone spearheaded the five-phase accreditation process, the most stringent in the country. The process includes self-assessment, on-site assessment, commission review and decision, and maintaining compliance and reaccreditation.