The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) has launched the Florida Sheriffs Accreditation Assistance Program to support the Florida sheriffs' offices in achieving and maintaining law enforcement accreditation from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). Law enforcement accreditation encourages continual internal review to improve organization functions, promote best practices, and increase community confidence in law enforcement. Achieving accredited status demonstrates that an agency has met established standards of quality through an extensive self-study and external review.

In 1993, FSA and the Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) created a voluntary law enforcement agency accreditation program that requires compliance with more than 250 professional standards designed specifically for Florida law enforcement agencies. Currently, there is a total of 157 sheriffs’ offices, police departments, and state law enforcement agencies accredited in Florida. Forty-two of Florida’s 67 sheriffs’ offices are accredited.

“Florida’s sheriffs are committed to continuous improvement of professionalism, the delivery of services, and community engagement,” said FSA Accreditation Advisory Committee Chair and Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman. “Accreditation ensures the agency follows best practices, and our committee has big goals so that Florida remains a role model for our law enforcement family across the nation.”

The FSA staff are guided by the Accreditation Advisory Committee. Members are appointed by the FSA President and include:

• Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman, Sarasota County, Chair
• Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Pinellas County
• Sheriff Rob Hardwick, St. Johns County
• Sheriff Mark Hunter, Columbia County
• Sheriff Grady Judd, Polk County
• Sheriff Mac McNeill, Jefferson County

“Our sheriffs quickly identified that no matter the size or location of the agency, having accreditation statewide is a priority,” said FSA Executive Director Steve Casey. “We appreciate the leadership these sheriffs have demonstrated by willing to serve on the Accreditation Advisory Committee, and Florida will benefit from the level of accreditation expertise that has been assembled.”

Becoming accredited is time consuming and requires the commitment of agency staff. There are often expenses associated with the improvements an agency must make to comply with the standards. For these reasons, sheriffs in Florida’s rural, fiscally constrained counties are particularly challenged with achieving accreditation. Recognizing this, the FSA is committed to helping these agencies become CFA law enforcement accredited. The FSA expects the first of these agencies will be awarded accredited status by the end of 2022.

“The sheriffs understand the time and resource commitment that accreditation requires, but we also understand the incredible benefit that it brings,” said FSA President and Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum. “This is the highest level of accountability, and with that comes an opportunity for us to continue gaining and elevating our trust throughout each community.”

###

About Florida Sheriffs Association
The Florida Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation made up of the Sheriffs of Florida, approximately 3,000 business leaders and 100,000 citizens throughout the state. Founded in 1893, FSA has steadfastly served the citizens of Florida by supporting the needs of the state's law enforcement community. Through the Florida Sheriffs Association, Sheriffs are given a forum to address lawmakers to push for positive changes in Florida’s public safety arena. FSA also provides Sheriffs' Offices much-needed programs such as affordable training, special task forces and legislative and legal services. Dedicated to the prevention of juvenile delinquency and the development of lawful, productive citizens, FSA has established and funded the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches with facilities throughout the state to help restore hope, fulfill dreams, and prepare boys and girls for the future. It has grown to be one of the largest and most successful state law enforcement associations in the nation. For more information on the Florida Sheriffs Association, visit www.flsheriffs.org.