While only a fraction of Washington police departments are accredited, the University of Washington Police Department made the list in 2005 and must now undergo a re-accreditation process. Three assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc (CALEA) examined the department Saturday.

“Out of 17,000 law enforcement agencies, only about 50 university departments are accredited,” said Jerry Stewart of the Iowa State Police Department, and one of CALEA’s assessors. “It’s a rather elite group that has attempted to comply with the standards. This agency should be commended for their effort. It’s a rigorous process.”

In order to conduct its evaluations, CALEA representatives typically examine file records, ride along with police officers during work hours, and talk to people in the department. Accredited departments must meet 400 different standards, although only 360 apply to the UWPD.

“We feel strongly that we are going to get the re-accreditation,” said Administrative Officer Shawna Woodard.

Despite being faced with some widely publicized issues, such as the death of Rebecca Griego, Woodard did not feel that this would hurt the UWPD in the accreditation process.

“If anything, it helps it,” Woodard said. “When there’s a major event, there’s a certain protocol you have to follow, and accreditation helps prepare us.”

The UWPD believes it has performed well during the gap between the last accreditation and the upcoming evaluation.

“It’s all about best practices,” said Ray Wittmier, the UWPD’s interim police chief. “The period they’re looking at is the last three years, and in that time we’ve done a lot of preparation to be up to national standards.”

It will be several months before CALEA determines whether or not to re-accredit the department.

In light of the assessments, the UWPD invites anyone interested to a public information session happening today. There, Woodard and other officers plan to answer questions regarding the UWPD’s compliance with CALEA standards.

“The comments are documented by a final review and considered by the commission in granting re-accreditation,” said Stewart.