ACCREDITATION TEAM INVITES PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT THE COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE (FL)
A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) will arrive April 8 to examine all aspects of the CCSO’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services. CCSO has to comply with approximately 250 standards in order to receive accredited status. Many of the standards are critical to life, health and safety issues.
As part of the assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team. A copy of the standards manual is available online at http://www.flaccreditation.org/docs/standards/CFA%20Edition%205.08%20October%202018.pdf or through CCSO’s Public Information Officer in Lake City at 386-719-7510.
For more information regarding CFA or for persons wishing to offer written comments about CCSO’s ability to meet the standards of accreditation, please write: CFA, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, Florida 32302, or email to flaccreditation@fdle.state.fl.us.
The Accreditation Program Manager for CCSO is Larry Auger. He said the assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies. The assessors will review written materials; interview individuals; and visit offices and other areas where compliance can be witnessed.
Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then determine if the agency is to receive accredited status. The accreditation is valid for 3 years. “Verification by the team that CCSO meets the Commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain or maintain accreditation–a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence”, Sheriff Mark Hunter said. “I’m proud of the hard work everyone has put into this venture and I’m confident it will show through to the assessors.”
