Wright State’s Division of Campus Safety earns Ohio law enforcement accreditation

Wright State University’s Division of Campus Safety has become an accredited agency through the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. (Photo provided by Wright State’s Division of Campus Safety)

Wright State University’s Division of Campus Safety has joined the list of accredited agencies through the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (OCLEAP), administered by the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services.

Wright State is one of four university police departments in Ohio to achieve this accreditation.

“Receiving accreditation is an important milestone for the Division of Campus Safety and our Police Department, and I could not be prouder of the work our team put into achieving it,” said Kurt Holden, associate vice president and chief of police at Wright State. “It demonstrates our commitment to professional standards, accountability and continuous improvement in how we serve our community.”

Created by Gov. Mike DeWine in 2024, the program recognizes agencies that voluntarily meet or exceed nearly three dozen state standards of professional excellence addressing core responsibilities such as professional conduct, bias-free policing, crisis intervention and community engagement.

“Over 30 agencies across the state have accepted the challenge to upgrade their professionalism through the OCLEAP process,” said Benjamin Suver, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. “These rigorous standards that represent the best law enforcement practices mean more Ohioans can have even greater confidence in their local law enforcement agencies.”

For Holden and the Division of Campus Safety, this recognition is just part of the bigger picture — creating a safe and supportive Wright State experience.

“By creating an environment where our students feel safe and supported, we help provide the foundation for them to succeed,” he said. “This recognition belongs to an incredible team, but it also reflects Wright State University’s broader commitment to the people and communities we serve.”

The accreditation program builds on the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Certification Program, also administered by the Office of Criminal Justice Services. The certification program has recognized more than 600 law enforcement agencies for meeting best practices related to the use of force and law enforcement recruitment, hiring and screening. Wright State’s Division of Campus Safety previously completed this certification, a requirement for state accreditation.

The new accreditation is the latest recognition of Wright State’s commitment to campus safety. The Division of Campus Safety previously received the Wright State President’s Award for Excellence for Outstanding Unit in 2023, the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police Agency of the Month and the Greene County Champions Award for its work in mental health and community policing. The department also completed the International Association of Chiefs of Police One Mind Campaign.