University Police Department Nationally Recognized for Campus Operations
The University of South Dakota Police Department (UPD) received the operations certification from the National Association of Campus Safety Administrators (NACSA) for meeting national standards and best practices in operational policies and procedures.
UPD seeks full NACSA accreditation by obtaining four certifications, including operations, training, personnel and compliance. These standards align with the 2015 report from “The President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.”
The department began the process of accreditation in the fall of 2020. UPD expects to have the process completed by fall 2021.
"Obtaining accreditation shows the campus community UPD is committed to being a law enforcement department others can emulate," said UPD director Jef Rice. “The safety and security of our students, staff, faculty and campus is our top priority."
The NACSA is the largest association of campus safety administrators in the nation.
