UT Tyler Police Honored by State for Professional Excellence

September 24, 2025 | Beverley Golden

The University of Texas at Tyler Police Department has earned accreditation from the Texas Police Chiefs Association for meeting law enforcement best practice standards.

Developed by Texas law enforcement experts, the more than 170 Best Practices are designed to help agencies deliver services efficiently and effectively, minimize risk and safeguard individual rights.

“I am so proud of and grateful for our police department,” said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD. “Their commitment to the safety of our students and campus is deeply appreciated — we are truly fortunate to have them.”

To earn accreditation, the police department underwent a careful internal review of its policies, procedures, equipment, facilities and operations, followed by a submission of proof of compliance with standards for an independent review. After the independent review of written submissions, a team of assessors did an on-site assessment of operations and facilities and interviewed department staff.

The “accredited” status is reviewed every four years.

TPCA was founded in 1958 to promote, encourage and advance the professional development of chiefs of police and senior police management personnel in Texas.

With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 11,500 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.