TOMS RIVER, NJ— Ocean County College announced today that its Department of Campus Safety and Security has achieved accreditation from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), the leading authority for campus public safety. The department has demonstrated to outside, impartial experts its compliance with national standards that denote current best practices in the profession. Fewer than 100 agencies have earned this distinctive recognition, and Ocean County College is the first two-year college in the state of New Jersey to achieve this status.
Representatives were recognized for this significant achievement during IACELA’s Annual Conference and Exposition in Atlanta, GA in June 2025.
“We congratulate the Ocean County College Department of Campus Safety and Security on achieving IACLEA accreditation, a unique distinction among campus police and public safety agencies,” said IACLEA President L. Angela Webb, associate vice president of public safety at Rhodes College. “The men and women protecting your campus have proven through policy and practice the commitment to operate at the highest level of the profession.”
IACLEA accreditation signifies a department’s ongoing commitment to excellence and state-of-the-art performance in every aspect of its operations. The standards guide the recruitment, selection, training, and professional development of department personnel and overall department operations.
Among the many benefits of accreditation are increased accountability from personnel and the department as a whole and a commitment to continuous improvement to maintain excellent operations.
“Achieving national accreditation from IACLEA is a tremendous milestone for Ocean County College and a testament to the professionalism and dedication of our entire team. I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved in this rigorous process. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished,” said Thomas DeSimone, director of OCC’s Department of Campus Safety and Security.
The Ocean County College Department of Campus Safety and Security prepared for the on-site assessment for the past three years by updating policies and operations, ensuring the public had the opportunity to provide comments to the outside assessors, and hosting assessors on site in April 2025. The department will seek reaccreditation in four years.
To learn more about OCC’s Department of Campus Safety and Security, visit the department online or contact Director Tom DeSimone at 732-255-0400, ext. 2543 or tdesimone@ocean.edu.
About Ocean County College
For 60 years, Ocean County College, a public two-year community college sponsored by Ocean County and the State of New Jersey, has provided area residents with the opportunity to benefit from higher education. OCC is an innovative academic leader offering affordable, student-centered, high-quality educational experiences that prepare and empower diverse learners to contribute to and succeed in global societies. OCC invests in and fosters academic, economic, and cultural excellence, and ensures financial strength by generating new revenue streams, engaging in national and international university and corporate partnerships, and cultivating a technologically progressive and entrepreneurial spirit. Learn more at ocean.edu.