URBANA, Ill. – The University of Illinois Police Department is encouraging members of the general public to call in and leave comments while a law enforcement assessor examines the department’s policies, procedures, operations and management.
The evaluation is a routine part of the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP) accreditation process. The evaluators last reviewed the University of Illinois Police Department in 2017 and gave the department ILEAP’s highest (Tier 2) accreditation level based on its ability to meet each of 180 evaluation criteria.
Accreditation will demonstrate the agency has achieved a level of professionalism among our law enforcement peers and validates the methods of service our members provide to the community in which they serve. In addition to improving our relationship with the citizens and organizations of the University of Illinois community, accreditation improves accountability while limiting risk exposure.
Members of the public are invited to call 217-300-5134 on August 12 from 2-3 p.m. to offer comments to the on-site assessor. Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the department’s ability to comply with ILEAP accreditation standards. Those standards are available for public review at ilchiefs.org.
People who are unable to comment by telephone at the designated time can submit a comment by sending an email to Lt. Jeff Hamer of the Macomb Police Department at jhamer@macombpolice.com.
“Feedback is important to ensuring that the University of Illinois Police Department is upholding the highest professional standards,” said Chief Alice Cary. “We encourage everyone to voice their opinions – good or bad – so we can make sure we’re serving our community in the best way possible.”
The call-in comments are a formal part of the ILEAP accreditation process, but general comments are always welcome throughout the year by calling 217-333-1216, emailing police@illinois.edu or visiting police.illinois.edu/feedback.
Members of the news media can contact UIPD Lt. Barb Robbins at barobbin@illinois.edu or 217-300-1496 for more information about ILEAP accrediation and the call-in session.
ILEAP Assessor Biography:
Lt. Jeff Hamer
Macomb Police Department
120 S. McArthur St.
Macomb, IL 61455
309-833-4505 ext 8116
jhamer@macombpolice.com
Jeff Hamer is in his 19th year at Macomb Police Department. Hamer has functioned in many roles within the department. Hamer was an FTO and Verbal Judo Instructor.
When Hamer was a Sergeant he supervised first shift patrol activities and took on several technology projects ranging from in car computers and video to social media and a web presence. As a Lieutenant, Hamer’s duties involve supervising the third shift patrol officers, ILEAP Accreditation Manager, and functioned as the Tactical Commander for the multi-agency Strategic Response Team (SRT).
Hamer has BS in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration from Western Illinois University as well as a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Lewis University. Hamer is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command (323rd). Hamer is also the ILEAP Coordinator for the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. In this role, Hamer coordinates the accreditation process for accredited agencies as well as departments preparing to become accredited.