The Virginia Tech Police Department received strong endorsements from fellow law enforcement officials and university administration Monday as it seeks reaccreditation.
VTPD held a public comment session Monday as part of efforts to be reaccredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agency for the first time since 2006.
Gathering at the Inn at Virginia Tech, the department was praised by officials from the Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Roanoke County police departments for its work during the April 16, 2007, shootings on campus.
Kevin Foust, an agent from the FBI office in Roanoke, commended the department's professionalism during the shootings.
"What impressed me was not only their compassion for the victims and survivors, but also their professionalism in how they approached that investigation," Foust said.
President Charles Steger and other members of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors spoke briefly at the meeting.
Following the meeting, Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum was positive about his department's reaccreditation prospects.
"It's wonderful to have that kind of support," Flinchum said. "We're hopeful that it's all gone well."
CALEA assessors will make final determination the department's reaccreditation in November at their fall conference on Nov. 18-21 in Salt Lake City.
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What exactly was so great about VTPD's effort on 4/16? Possibly setting up a text book perimeter or having the best crosswalk guard in the nation? I know saving lives is out of the question...
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