The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is stepping into a rigorous examination by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), beginning December 1st. This process is part of the Sheriff's Office's bid for re-accreditation, a voluntary initiative to validate its adherence to 462 state-of-the-art law enforcement standards, according to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Since its initial accreditation in March 1994, the agency has consistently pursued this hallmark of professional excellence.
To facilitate an inclusive assessment, both Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office employees and community members are encouraged to provide feedback on the efficacy of the department. Through a Public Comment Portal hosted on the JCSO website, individuals can submit their commendations or concerns. The Sheriff's Office invites written responses about the agency’s ability to meet accreditation standards, and these can be addressed to CALEA®, 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155. Furthermore, the assessment team will interview staff and inspect on and off-site locations to observe whether the standards are being practiced.
The Sheriff’s Office is not undertaking this journey alone, as the assessment team brings external perspectives to the table. Team Leader Commander Gregg Jones from the Lexington Police Department, KY, and Lieutenant Pamillia Johnson of the Miami-Dade County Police Department, FL, are conducting the review. Their collective experience from similar agencies but from different states ensures a diverse examination of the Sheriff's Office operations.
Completion of the on-site review will lead to a report being filed to the full Commission at CALEA®, which will then deliberate on the re-accreditation of the agency. If approved, the Sheriff’s Office stands to renew its accredited status for another four years, with the requirement to maintain compliance and submit annual reports, as well as undergo yearly compliance audits by CALEA-certified officers. Additional information regarding CALEA® and its processes can be solicited by phone at (800) 368-3757 or the commission’s address in Gainesville, Virginia.
