Professional Standards Lieutenant

In April 2021, Penn State University Police and Public Safety created the professional standards lieutenant position.

The professional standards lieutenant is responsible for providing direction for supervising and coordinating audits, investigations and management reviews relating to department programs and operations and ensuring broad compliance with department policy and procedure. The role is assigned to UPPS headquarters at University Park; however, the position will serve the 22 Penn State campuses where UPPS provides police services.

As a department, we continue to enhance our structure to better allow for transparency and accountability. Creating this new professional standards position is an important step in that process. Lt. Castro has been a member of the UPPS family for some time, and we know he will thrive in this new role as he brings a solid skill set and professionalism to these operations.

Reporting to the UPPS associate vice president, the professional standards lieutenant’s work includes property and evidence inspections, Criminal Justice Information Services audits, Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies requirement audits, and reviewing internal statistics for compliance or trends, such as use of force and arrest data. The position also conducts internal affairs investigations involving employee conduct.

It is critical for law enforcement agencies to evaluate its practices on an ongoing basis. This allows us to track how we are performing and alter our direction when necessary, in order to grow, and best serve our community.