Our Vision

We will be leaders in the community and the profession by employing integrated, contemporary, and innovative policing strategies to mitigate crime and increase public safety.

Our Mission

We are proud to serve our diverse community through the use of partnerships, law enforcement, and public education to enhance safety.

Our Values

We will demonstrate our commitment to our vision and mission by modeling the following values in all our professional interactions:

Respect

Treat everyone with dignity
Be empathetic
Listen

Integrity

Demonstrate the highest ideals of ethical conduct
Be trustworthy
Be honest
Be reliable

Service

Be of assistance - Problem Solve
Teach
Coach
Develop (self and others)
Collaborate

Pride

Be and hold each other accountable
Be and hold each other responsible
Be consistent and fair
Leave everything better than how you found it

Our Commitment to 21st Century Policing

In 2015, the White House created a task force to strengthen community policing and trust among law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. The results of a series of public listening sessions informed a new set of guidelines that are changing the focus of policing around the country. The 6 Pillars of 21st Century Policing are as listed below. To find out more, refer to the final report about 21st Century Policing (PDF).

1. Building Trust and Legitimacy
2. Policy and Oversight
3. Technology and Social Media
4. Community Policing and Crime Reduction
5. Officer Training and Education
6. Officer Safety and Wellness

The role of a professional organization is serving its clients; our role is serving the members of the university community. The manner in which Police Services conducts business, operationally as well as administratively, must be consistent with professionally accepted practices and ideals. The members of the university community are entitled to a professional department. It is for this reason that we have voluntarily sought accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA)

Accreditation is a method to ensure that UVM Police Services is in compliance with nationwide standards covering all aspects of law enforcement policies, procedures, practices, and operations. Accreditation makes a statement to other law enforcement agencies, professions, and the university community that UVM Police Services meets the highest standards of professionalism.

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies was organized through the combined efforts of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriff's Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum. These organizations continue to serve in an advisory capacity to the Commission and are responsible for appointing members of the Commission's Board. The Commission was formed to develop a set of law enforcement standards and to establish and administer an accreditation process through which law enforcement agencies could demonstrate voluntarily that they meet professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery.

The period of accredited status for UVM Police Services is three years. During this time, our agency must submit annual reports that document continuing compliance with applicable standards. Our agency has applied for reaccreditation, which will be determined by continuing the self-assessment process and successfully submitting the agency for another onsite inspection every 3 years. The achievement of accreditation for the department has resulted in improvements in structure, leadership, organization, general direction, and accountability. The process of intensive self-assessment has united the department in its commitment to serve the university community through well-written policies and procedures, objective management, and conscious recognition of the need for law enforcement professionalism.

CALEA was formed in 1979 to establish a body of standards designed to:

1. Increase law enforcement agency capabilities to prevent and control crime
2. Increase agency effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of law enforcement services
3. Increase cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies and with other agencies of the criminal justice system
4. Increase citizen and employee confidence in the goals, objectives, policies and practices of the agency

There are currently 444 Standards that cover:

• Role, Responsibilities, and Relationships with Other Agencies
• Organization, Management, and Administration
• Personnel Administration
• Law Enforcement Operations
• Operations Support
• Traffic Operations
• Prisoner and Court Related Activities
• Auxiliary and Technical Services

Accreditation is an intensive effort involving the entire agency. Every four years, each agency is up for re-accreditation, which involves a status report, a web-based and site-based assessment, as well as an extensive review at the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies conference. UVM Police Services was re-accredited in November 2023 at the conference held in Bellevue, Washington. It was the 7th re-accreditation UVM Police Services received since their initial accreditation in 2003!

As part of our re-accreditation process, we welcome the comments of our community on the work that we do. To provide comments specifically about the University of Vermont Police Services to the CALEA® team, please click the link below:

http://cimrs2.calea.org/136

**Please note: these comments are NOT received by the University of Vermont Police Services, DO NOT use this link to report crimes.**

Chief's Award

"The agency's highest award given annually to that team member who best demonstrates overall, outstanding attention to duty and exceptional service to the community."

Leadership Award

"This honor is awarded to a department member who exemplifies the department's values and embodies a commitment to the mission of UVM Police Services through conspicuous acts of respect, service, teaching, mentoring, coaching, collaboration, positive mind-set, and inclusive decision-making, both within and outside the department. This recognition is awarded through solicitation and recommendation of several department members, and should include interviews with contacts outside the department."

Meritorius/Exceptional Police Duty Award

"This award is presented to the member of the police department who, in the line of duty, performs a highly credible accomplishment, bringing public acclaim to him/herself, the department, or the police profession as a result of training, devotion to duty, demonstrating initiative and accomplishment and/or service to the public."

Crisis Communicator Award

"Awarded to an employee who, through communication skills, demonstrates great composure, problem solving, compassion, and intelligence in resolving a life threat, or de-escalating a potentially volatile situation without having to resort to further uses of force."

Life Saving Award

"Awarded to an employee who, while in the line of duty and through prompt and alert actions, results in saving a life."

Valor Award

"The department’s highest award for courage and bravery. It is awarded in recognition of a single action performed by an employee who distinguishes themselves by conspicuous bravery above and beyond the normal demands of police service. To be awarded the Medal of Valor, an employee shall have performed an act displaying extreme courage while facing imminent peril."

Support Services Award

"Presented to the team member for their contribution towards excellence in modeling our mission and values. Their contributions improve Police Services' efficiency and effectiveness."

Certificates of Commendation

"Presented to the team member by result of a written recommendation from any source forwarded to a supervisory personnel. Consists of commendable acts and exemplary performance by an employee that deserves greater recognition than a letter of appreciation."

Unit Citations

"Presented to a team of employees who demonstrate an ongoing participation toward the completion of a cited action."

Non-Employee Recognition

Certificates of Recognition

"Presented to community members for exemplary service or assistance to the Department of Police Services."

Civilian Service Award

"The department's highest honor given to a non-employee. It is awarded to any citizen whose contribution greatly enhances the day-to-day operations of the department or furthers of the goals or mission of the department. Or, to any citizen who, without concern for their own safety, renders prompt assistance to any person who is in imminent danger."

Student Service Award

The patch represents the mission of Police Services

The sun and black, enclosed tower (Old Mill) represent our diligence to protect this community 24/7. The tower itself represents the educational mission of Police Services. The green mountains speak to the natural beauty and rugged individualism of Vermont, the namesake for this great institution. Lake Champlain sits in the forefront, its breathtaking elegance matched only by its rich, eternal history in the founding of these United States. UVM Professor Robert J. Nash provided the Latin interpretation of three keywords to our success: excellence, integrity and service. Together, they are the cornerstones of our professional obligation.

NOTE TO PATCH COLLECTORS: Due to production costs Police Services does not make our patches available.

The UVM Police Services Dress Uniform is worn for special events and by the Honor Guard. Police Services' Honor Guard is present at all major university functions including leading the platform party into the venue at Commencement. We also represent the University at police funerals, memorials, and various statewide celebrations.

The UVM Police Services Patrol Uniform is worn during daily shifts. Our officers wear external vests, allowing them to distribute the weight of their equipment. These vests help mitigate that pains and injuries that some officers incur from wearing only a duty belt.

Patrol officers also carry a variety of tools on their duty belts/vests, including:

• AXON body cameras
• Baton
• Firearm
• OC Spray
• Tazer
• Handcuffs
• Radio

UVM Police Services Bike Patrol wear a uniform that suits their active mode of transport. Though all officers on bike patrol will still wear a duty belt and vest, you will see them in a grey polo and dark cargo shorts.

UVM Police has a fleet of SUVs. Currently, we employ both a Chevy Tahoe and Ford Interceptors; we are in the process of replacing our gas-powered Interceptors with gas/electric hybrids.

Having a fleet of SUVs allows UVM Police Services to have a greater capacity to move equipment. These vehicles also allow officers to respond to calls for service without worrying about snow, mud, or any of the many weather systems that Vermont has to offer. With these vehicles, we maintain versatility without sacrificing police-rated performance.

Our Service Officers currently drive an all-electric Ford Lightning truck. Students and visitors will see this vehicle on campus just as often as a cruiser.