Milton Hershey School Campus Safety Receives CALEA Reaccreditation

Milton Hershey School’s Campus Safety department recently earned reaccreditation in Public Safety Communications from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The organization accredits law enforcement agencies that adhere to strict standards of general orders and other safety protocols.

The Public Safety Communications accreditation is the second for MHS. In 2017, MHS became the first pre-K through grade 12 residential school in the United States to receive a CALEA Campus Safety accreditation.

“I am incredibly proud of all our telecommunicators and the Campus Safety Central Monitoring team for their outstanding work in obtaining their reaccreditation,” MHS Senior Director of Campus Safety Rick Gilbert said. “Managing dual accreditations is an immense challenge. Thanks to their unwavering dedication, exceptional hard work, and steadfast commitment to providing the highest level of service to our community, they consistently set the standard for excellence.”

As part of the CALEA reaccreditation process, MHS Campus Safety tested the operating procedures it established when initially credited. Gilbert said earning accreditations helps the department set benchmarks to ensure they are providing high-quality protection to the MHS community. Campus Safety employees undergo a robust training program that continually evolves through professional development. They also receive thorough emergency medical and safety training.

With a newly created tiered program in campus safety, MHS is formally classified in the highest tier. Its accreditation is identified as “Advanced Campus Safety.”

Campus Safety officers patrol the campus’s 11,000 acres around the clock via foot, bike, and fully marked and equipped patrol vehicles. The team also monitors the campus with approximately 700 cameras. The Campus Safety team continually trains and revises its practices in dealing with critical incidents.

“It is imperative for our officers to be proactive, so they are prepared to take immediate action when appropriate,” MHS Vice President of Administration Elliott Robinson said.

MHS Campus Safety officers also serve as role models for the school’s students. Gilbert said the department takes pride in providing internships for students and participating in the school’s Safety Officers Advancing Relationships program, which helps students better understand the officers’ jobs.