Accreditation & Compliance Coordinator

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the primary department charged with creating a safe and secure environment at Princeton University. DPS operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is comprised of 153 staff members.   The department consists of professional University police, security officers, dispatchers, and administrators dedicated to providing best-in-class service to the community.

DPS was originally recognized and awarded Law Enforcement Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) on July 25, 2015, and subsequently awarded reaccreditation status on July 25, 2018, July 25, 2022, and again on July 24, 2026. CALEA serves as the “International Gold Standard for Public Safety Agencies” and oversees a rigorous accreditation process.  In addition, DPS was awarded accreditation status by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (NJLEAC) on March 14, 2019, and subsequently awarded reaccreditation status on March 10, 2022, and again on March 13, 2025. These awards are a mark of professional excellence and signify that we have earned these distinguished honors through continued compliance with CALEA/NJLEAC Standards. Throughout these processes, we established and implemented policies and practices that meet or exceed the National and State standards, to serve both the Department and the community well in the future.

To read the Princeton University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report click here. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Accreditation and Compliance Coordinator (ACC) works closely with and reports directly to the Associate Director to execute policy and strategic direction for the Department and participates in short- and long-term planning for the Department’s accreditation program and compliance activities.

The ACC provides direct oversight and management of the department's policies as they relate to University, local, state, and federal laws, including Clery law and Title IX process, to ensure compliance with and adherence to standards established by The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).

The ACC is responsible for planning, coordinating, managing accreditation and compliance activities as well as relevant processes and training. The incumbent must organize work, set priorities, make assignments, enforce deadlines, and make decisions based on analytical and innovative thinking within guidelines. The position demands a high degree of accuracy and detail, as well as strict adherence to established timelines.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Review and Compliance (40%)

• Identifies, verifies, and reconciles compliance with established law enforcement standards, correcting any noted deficiencies through policy, training, or other administrative measures.
• Reviews standards and ensures the department remains in compliance and stays abreast of all aspects of the accreditation process, including proposed amendments to the standards.
• Develops, writes, reviews, revises, and manages the department's catalog of policies and forms to ensure compliance with CALEA standards.
• Recommends changes in policies and procedures when indicated by CALEA updates, changes, or modifications.
• Maintains a standard format for policies to be reviewed and revised on a scheduled basis; and maintains accreditation files.
• Receives assignments and sets work priorities, coordinating accreditation tasks to meet deadlines to assure an efficient workflow throughout the agency.
• Reviews a wide variety of complex and technical issues concerning CALEA standards and the accreditation process.
• Meets regularly with the Patrol and Administrative Captains within the Princeton University Department of Public Safety, key agency personnel, and other University stakeholders to identify needs and report progress on accreditation efforts.
• Identifies and develops new programs, systems, procedures, or equipment specifications for the improvement of agency performance in compliance with applicable accreditation standards.
• Keeps abreast of the accreditation process, Attorney General (AG) guidelines, Mercer County Prosecutor's Office (MCPO) policies, Clery law, and Title IX, including proposed changes or amendments to the standards, transition policies, or process changes. Evaluates the impact of these changes on the agency.
• Assigns, directs, and coordinates accreditation work groups to achieve plans of action, recommendations to the Administrative Captain, or complete other accreditation goals (required training, security reviews, audits, etc).
• Drafts written directives or assigns writing projects to achieve accreditation objectives.
• Serves as a liaison between police administration, other department employees, and outside agencies in all accreditation efforts; regularly reports to agency staff on accreditation compliance.

Clery and Title IX (30%) 

• Meets regularly with the Director of Operations and the Associate Director to compile and prepare a draft of the Princeton Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
• May train Campus Security Authorities (CSA’s) in their reporting obligations.
• Work with the Registrar’s Office to ensure the missing student registration process, through Score, is functional.
• Reviews to ensure proper classification of all crime incident reports daily.
• Serves as the Records Custodian for all Clery Act–associated records.
• Collect Clery reportable incidents and reconcile incidents
  • Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students (ODUS)
  • Graduate School
• The Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising, Resources and Education (SHARE)
• Send an annual letter to local law enforcement agencies asking for Clery reportable statistics in their jurisdiction:
  • Princeton Police Department (PPD)
  • West Windsor Police Department
  • Plainsboro Police Department
• Compile an annual spreadsheet of the following information in collaboration with other University stakeholders:
  • Princeton University has a program and owns, controls, or leases the property where students reside at the same location year after year and stay for 3 nights or more; or where students stay for 8 consecutive nights or more in a single location on a single trip.
  • Location of the program (exact location of the program)
  • Duration of the program
  • Time of year
  • Name of the program
  • Point Person for the program
  • International program
• Send a letter to each police department, including international police agencies where residential programs meeting the criteria above have occurred.
• Work with Communications on editing, formatting, and design of the report.
• Print out all reports that meet the Clery statute and keep a working file of all reports and notifications for seven years.
• Collect and maintain a file of all Clery timely warning notices.
• Collect and maintain a file for all Clery emergency notifications.
• Collaborate with EHS to ensure that a test of our emergency notification system is completed each year that includes all required components to meet the HFOA definitions of a test.
• Maintain and update a geographical map of the campus boundaries.
• Coordinates with Facilities to annually update and maintain an accurate list of buildings and properties that the University owns and/or is controlled by the institution.
• Reviews incidents and reports to classify them under Clery & Title IX standards.
• Coordinates the institution’s Clery Act Compliance program. Ensures required policy statements are reviewed annually. Ensures Clery policy and practices are aligned.

CALEA Communication (20%)

•  Maintains frequent contact with CALEA staff.
• Attends CALEA conferences and local police accreditation coalition meetings, and coordinates attendance of other agency representatives.
• Coordinates on-site CALEA assessments and inspections; prepares and submits required reports and documentation to CALEA; and prepares the department for reaccreditation.
• Performs other related work. Performance at this level is measured through reports and levels of success in carrying out assigned tasks consistent with agency goals, national standards, and strict deadlines.
• Employ audit and quality control methods to ensure accreditation as well as compliance standards are promoted and maintained.
• Prepare special projects for review.

Perform additional duties as assigned (10%)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, legal studies, or related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in law enforcement policy development, accreditation, or compliance management.
• Demonstrated expertise with CALEA and NJSACOP standards, Clery Act reporting, and Title IX compliance.
• Strong knowledge of policy drafting, legal interpretation, and law enforcement operations.
• Excellent writing, analysis, and project management skills.
• High attention to detail with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and accreditation management platforms (e.g., PowerDMS, Lexipol).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• CALEA or NJSACOP Accreditation Manager Certification or advanced compliance training
• Master's degree in public policy, law, higher education administration, or related discipline.
• Experience in higher education or municipal law enforcement setting.
• Familiarity with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Title IX investigative protocols, and incident management systems.

All positions within the Department of Public Safety are subject to completion of a comprehensive background screening process. This includes both a University Human Resources background check and a fingerprint-based criminal history background check conducted by the Department of Public Safety. Successful completion of both processes is required as a condition of employment.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.