PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (June 23, 2020) – The Prairie View A&M University Police Department (PVAMU UPD) now holds an honor that only a select few law enforcement agencies in the state possess. Earlier this month, it received “Recognized” status through the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA).
“The UPD is one of the 167 Recognized Agencies in the State of Texas to have earned accreditation through the TPCA Best Practices Program,” said Chief of Police Keith Jemison, Ed.D. “There are almost 3,000 law enforcement agencies within Texas. Accreditation is the gold standard.”
The TPCA describes its program as a voluntary process where police agencies prove their compliance with 168 Texas Law Enforcement Best Practices. It believes these standards are absolutely essential for the proper functioning of professional Texas law enforcement agencies to efficiently and effectively deliver service, reduce risk, and enhance the protection of individual’s rights.
“The Texas Legislature demands a great deal from professional law enforcement in Texas,” said Jemison. “As a result, Best Practices were specifically designed to aid Texas agencies in meeting those demands and providing the best quality of service to the citizens of our State.”
According to Jemison, a committee of Chiefs of Police and Command-level law enforcement officers from across Texas developed TPCA’s Best Practices. The standards incorporate both Texas law and standards from other state and national accreditation programs to determine those most appropriate for Texas law enforcement agencies.
“The committee and its assessors conduct reviews of agency policies, facilities, equipment, and render a decision, by vote, as to the agency’s compliance with the tenets established by the program. Upon a successful review, the agency is accredited, or, ‘Recognized.’ Thereafter, TPCA conducts a review of any policy adjustments to ensure that they comport with Best Practices, as well as annually evaluating program compliance.”
UPD being named “Recognized” means the agency has proven that it meets and exceeds all of the identified Best Practices for law enforcement.
“Generally, these cover use of force, protection of citizen rights, pursuits, property and evidence management, and patrol and investigative operations,” said Jemison. “Being ‘Recognized’ does not guarantee a mistake-free law enforcement agency. It does serve as a demonstrable commitment to orienting the organization towards ‘doing what is right’ and developing policies and procedures supportive of identifying and correcting problems and, ideally, preventing them.”
Accreditation with the TPCA lasts for four years, after which a full assessment must be completed to continue to be “Recognized.”
“UPD is excited and proud to be counted in the top five percent of law enforcement agencies in 2020,” said Jemison. “It is a monumental accomplishment and recognizes the organizational commitment to being the best. The department’s ethos of ‘Above All…Do Right’ isn’t just a saying. It is woven into the fabric of the organization and guides our approach to the service that we provide to both the campus and regional community that we serve.”
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