Anthony Purcell, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) chief of police, has been appointed to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) Board of Commissioners.
CALEA’s mission is to improve the delivery of public safety services, primarily by maintaining a body of standards — developed by public safety practitioners — covering a wide range of up-to-date public safety initiatives; establishing and administering an accreditation process and recognizing professional excellence.
The appointment came as no surprise to UAB Vice President for Financial Affairs and Administration Richard Margison.
“This is a significant recognition for Chief Purcell and demonstrates his long standing commitment to upholding the highest standards and practices in law enforcement,” Margison said. “We are fortunate to have him leading our UAB Police Department, and I commend him for his service to this national commission.”
Purcell has a long, distinguished history of service in law enforcement. Among his past positions are the chief of police and director of public safety for both North Carolina Central University and the University of North Carolina Charlotte, as well as deputy chief of police and security at Georgia Institute of Technology. While at UAB, he has served as a CALEA assessor and on the commission’s 2010-11 College and University Accreditation Ad Hoc Committee.
Purcell holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice from North Carolina Central University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. Purcell is also the former southeast region director for the International Association for Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.