The Washington County Sheriff's Office recently received its 6th consecutive accreditation award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.(CALEA). The Sheriff's Office received the Meritorious Award for being an accredited agency for more than 15 years.

Accreditation is a rigorous ongoing four-year process during which the Sheriff's Office must strictly adhere to policing practices considered excellent on a national level. Administered by CALEA, the accreditation program requires agencies to comply with standards considered to be best policing practices in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.

CALEA Client Service Members reviewed policies and examined procedures to verify compliance every year for four years. At the end of the fourth year, a CALEA team assessed the agency's day-to-day operations of policies and procedures during three days of interviews with leaders, staff of all levels, government leaders, and community partners, including a hearing to solicit public comment.

After confirming standards compliance through file review, observations of agency activities, and interviews, the Commission voted unanimously to award the agency its 6th consecutive accreditation award. Sheriff Pat Garrett stated,

"Now more than ever,the value of a national police accreditation program is being recognized as a genuine agency commitment to professionalism and learning. CALEA standards align with community-oriented policing by requiring agencies to have contemporary policies, train regularly, and build trust with the community through engagement and best practices."

--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-11-01 09:55:52

Last Update: 2020-11-01 13:37:12