MU has long been known as Missouri’s flagship public university, but now the campus has another flagship. When the University of Missouri Police Department was reaccredited Nov. 21 by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies annual conference, the department was also recognized as one of the commission’s Flagship Agencies.
The Flagship Agency program recognizes agencies that meet strict guidelines on the accreditation process.
That accreditation process is valuable because it provides external validation that the department is maintaining international standards for police agencies, says Jack Watring, the department’s chief.
The process is not unlike one of MU’s academic departments or colleges asking outside experts to review its programs, Watring says. “We are part of an educational institution, and our department very much plays a role in the education of our students here.”
The Flagship Agency designation is icing on the cake, Watring adds. “The flagship status says, ‘This is an organization that other agencies can look at to model themselves after.’”