UMass Dartmouth Police Department receive re-accreditation

A team of assessors from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission certified the department

On February 26, 2019, the UMass Dartmouth Police Department received their second state re-accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission.

Accreditation is a self-initiated evaluation process by which police departments strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession, by the profession. These carefully selected standards reflect critical areas of police management, operations, and technical support activities. They cover areas such as policy development, emergency response planning, training, communications, property and evidence handling, use of force, vehicular pursuit, prisoner transportation, and holding facilities. The program not only sets standards for the law enforcement profession but also for the delivery of police services to citizens of the commonwealth.

“It is important to every member of our university that our officers adhere to the highest standards of policing,” said UMass Dartmouth Chief of Police Emil Fioravanti. “I am proud of our officers and the work we do keeping the community safe.”

Under the leadership of Chief Emil Fioravanti and with Officer Kristin Costa as the Accreditation Manager, the UMass Dartmouth Police Department was assessed for two days in October of 2018 by a team of Commission-appointed assessors who carefully examined, inspected and confirmed the Department complied with all applicable standards for Accreditation. Out of the 211 police agencies statewide that are members of the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission, 82 of the agencies are accredited, with 12 of those being campus police departments. The standards for accreditation impact officer and public safety while addressing high liability/risk management issues and generally promoting operational efficiency throughout the agency.

“Achieving Accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission is a very significant accomplishment and a recognition highly regarded by the law enforcement community,” said Donna Taylor Mooers, the Commission’s Executive Director.” 

Accreditation has been granted for a period of three years.  Participation in the program is strictly voluntary.