The Delaware County Sheriff's Office has been awarded accreditation by the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. This distinction, granted unanimously and owing much to the leadership of Sheriff Jerry L. Sanders, Jr., is only held by a select few in the state, with the Sheriff’s Office being one of just thirteen agencies in Delaware County and one of only six sheriff's offices in Pennsylvania to maintain accredited status, as reported by delcopa.gov.
Recognizing the accomplishment, Delaware County Vice Chair Richard Womack praised the Sheriff and his team, stating, “Achieving accreditation is no small feat—it requires a deep commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and a dedication to maintaining the highest standards of law enforcement, and we appreciate Sheriff Sanders’ leadership in ensuring that Delaware County continues to uphold these rigorous standards, providing our community with the highest level of service and protection." With a deep commitment to excellence, Sheriff Sanders expressed pride in the quality and effectiveness of his officers, “We are honored to receive this accreditation, which reinforces that Delaware County residents can have confidence in the quality and effectiveness of our officers' performance,” he told delcopa.gov.
Accreditation promotes several benefits such as boosting community relations, reducing legal risks, and fostering problem-solving practices within the agency. The office's compliance with the program’s 139 standards was scrutinized by the Commission via thorough analysis and on-site reviews by trained assessors, to ensure the standards were met or exceeded, and they were found as put by the Commission to be meritorious and worthy of this recognition.
Applauding the Sheriff's Office for its dedication to upholding high standards, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said, “Adherence to such high standards is the hallmark of effective policing, and this accomplishment underscores the dedication of the Sheriff’s Office to protecting and serving the residents of Delaware County.” Having a recognized capability and competence, the accreditation is expected to lay a foundation for future advancements within the agency, as per delcopa.gov.
The laurel was accorded during the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association's annual banquet in July of 2024 and is valid for three years, with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office also required to submit annual reports. Since the inception of the accreditation program in 2001, over 375 agencies have enrolled, but currently, only 175 maintain the accredited status – highlighting the achievement's significance for Sheriff Sanders and his team.
