SUNY Cortland's University Police Department (UPD) recently received their reaccreditation from the NY State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
The designation recognizes conceptually sound and operationally effective policies, with assessment divided into three categories: administrative standards, training standards and operational standards.
Ahead of the announcement, the UPD went through a three-day audit in January. The UPD has been accredited by DCJS since 2011.
Chief Mark DePaull, Assistant Chief Jason Welch, and Investigator Melissa Sholar were awarded the reaccreditation certificate at the Accreditation Council's quarterly meeting in Albany, N.Y., on March 5, 2026. Sholar also received the John Kimball O'Neil Achievement Award for her leadership and dedication as the accreditation program manager.