Law Enforcement Accreditation

The University of North Florida Police Department (UPD), a fully accredited police department through the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA), was most recently accredited by the Commission in October 2023 and was awarded “Excelsior” status. This honor recognizes the highest level of achievement of accreditation a criminal justice agency can receive in Florida as well as a demonstrated level of commitment to the Florida Accreditation process unparalleled in the criminal justice profession. Our certification is valid for three years, so our next on-site review  will occur in August 2026. The UPD was initially accredited in 1999.

Benefits of Accreditation to the University Community: 

• Accreditation increases the University Police Department's (UPD) ability to prevent and control crime through more effective and efficient delivery of law enforcement services to the UNF community.
• Accreditation enhances community understanding of the UPD and its role in the community, as well as its goals and objectives. Citizen confidence in the policies and practices of the UPD is increased. 
• Accreditation, in conjunction with the philosophy of community policing, commits the UPD to a broad range of programs (such as crime prevention) that directly benefit the public. 
• Accreditation creates a forum where police and citizens work together to control and prevent crime. This partnership will help citizens to understand the challenges that confront law enforcement. The UPD will, in turn, receive clear direction from the UNF community about its expectations. Thus, a standard set of goals and objectives will be implemented.

Benefits of Accreditation to UPD's Leadership:

• Increases cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies and other branches of the criminal justice system.
• The accreditation process requires an in-depth review of every aspect of the UPD's organization, management, operations, and administration to include:
  • establishment of agency goals and objectives with provisions for periodic updating;
  • re-evaluation of whether agency resources are being used by agency goals, objectives, and mission;
  • re-evaluation of agency policies and procedures, especially as documented in the UPD's written directive system;
  • correction of internal deficiencies and inefficiencies before they become public problems;
  • the opportunity to re-organize without the appearance of personal attacks.
   
• The accreditation standards provide norms against which agency performance can be measured and monitored over time. 
• Accreditation provides the UPD with a continuous flow of Commission distributed information about exemplary policies, procedures, and projects. 
• Accreditation provides objective measures to justify decisions related to budget requests and personnel policies. 
• Accreditation is a yardstick to measure the effectiveness of the UPD's programs and services. The services provided are defined, and uniformity of service is assured. 
• Accreditation streamlines operations, providing more consistency and more effective deployment of agency manpower.

Benefits of Accreditation to UPD's Employees:

• Accreditation requires that agency policies and procedures are in written form and are available to all agency personnel at all times. 
• Accreditation assures employees that every aspect of the UPD's personnel system is in accord with professional standards and that the system is fair and equitable. 
• The UPD is compelled to operate within specific guidelines. It is accountable to the Commission. The UPD must comply with the standards set forth by the Commission to retain its accreditation.
• The morale of the UPD is enhanced by increasing the employees' confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of their agency. Operations become more streamlined and consistent. 
• Accreditation policies address officer safety issues and provide for adequate training and equipping of the officers. 
•  Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence. Employees will take pride in their agency, knowing it represents the best in law enforcement.