The Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) serves as the facilitator of the new voluntary Kansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (KLEAP), launched statewide Dec. 1. Since 1968, KLETC has served as the headquarters for all law enforcement training in Kansas and is a unit of the University of Kansas. This unique association with KU, a major research institution, allows KLETC to leverage the strength and resources of an AAU research university to better educate and train students. KLETC’s statutory mission is “the promotion and development of improved law enforcement personnel and procedures throughout the state.”
In 2021, KLETC applied for and was awarded a grant through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) with the goal of establishing a voluntary state level accreditation program for law enforcement agencies in Kansas. At the time of application, Kansas was one of only 14 states that did not have a state-level law enforcement accreditation program.
In February 2022, nine members were appointed to the Kansas Accreditation Council (KAC), the guiding body for KLEAP. KAC members were appointed by the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police (KACP) and the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association (KSA) and represent a geographically diverse range of agencies of all sizes. KLETC Executive Director Darin Beck appointed one additional council member from a law enforcement agency not led by a sheriff or municipal chief of police, as a member-at-large. Two remaining council members are permanent appointments from KLETC staff, are nonvoting members, and are not eligible to hold the seats of chair or vice chair.
Accreditation strengthens the professionalism of law enforcement and encourages transparency with the communities they serve. It is also a time-proven means for helping agencies evaluate and improve their overall performance. KLEAP is designed to be meaningful, obtainable, and affordable for any Kansas law enforcement agency. The KLEAP standards, the fee schedule and a multitude of resources for Kansas agencies is available on the KLEAP website. Additionally, free ongoing training is provided to any Kansas agency desiring to participate.
Twelve agencies have enrolled in KLEAP participating as beta test agencies or early starters. KLEAP’s goal is to increase the number of Kansas law enforcement agencies that elect to participate in a voluntary accreditation program. The KLEAP vision is “to be a compass on the journey towards law enforcement excellence in Kansas.” Accreditation offers many benefits, such as lower insurance rates and reduced liability and susceptibility to lawsuits. It sends a message to communities that their law enforcement agency is committed to excellence.
KLETC is a division within Jayhawk Global, KU's education innovation center that advances and delivers nontraditional forms of learner engagement, including online degree programs, professional and workforce development, certifications, competency-based educational offerings, credit for prior experience, employee training and enrichment learning.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up