July 28, 2025

A team of assessors from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) will arrive on August 10, 2025, to examine all aspects of the Forsyth Tech Campus Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operation, and support services, Chief Carolyn McMackin announced today.

Verification by the team that Forsyth Tech’s Campus Police meets IACLEA’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of campus public safety professional excellence, she said.

College members, agency employees and the public are invited to offer comments by visiting the Board Room in the Allman Center on the fourth floor on August 11, 2025, between the hours of 1:30 and 2:15 p.m. Comments will be taken by the assessment team.

Comments must address the department’s ability to comply with IACLEA’s standards. The IACLEA Accreditation Standards Manual is available on the IACLEA website (www.iaclea.org).

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Forsyth Tech Campus PD’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may email them to jmurphy@iaclea.org.

“The Forsyth Tech Campus PD has to comply with 227 standards, in order to achieve accredited status,” Chief McMackin said. “Accreditation is a critical step in ensuring we’re providing the highest standard of safety and service to our campus community. It shows our commitment to accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement. And it helps build trust with the students, faculty, staff, and visitors we protect every day.”

The accreditation manager for Forsyth Tech Campus PD is Chris Lowder. He said the assessment team is composed of experienced campus law enforcement professionals from within the state of NC. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and inspect facilities where compliance can be witnessed. The assessors are Charles Simpson, Jr. , Captain of Support Services, NC A &T Police Department, team leader, and Belinda Pounds, Professional Standards Manager, NC State University Police Department. Once the assessors complete their review of the department, they will report back to IACLEA, which will then decide if the department is to be granted accredited status, Lowder said.

Accreditation is for four years, during which the department must submit annual reports attesting to continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.