Transcript Accreditation Process - FLA-PAC

Accreditation Process
History of Accreditation
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1960’s – Law Enforcement faced with riots and
disturbances over race and the Vietnam War.
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Public lost confidence in law enforcement due to their
inability to prepare for emergencies.
Law Enforcement did not learn from other’s mistakes.
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No communication between agencies.
Many LEOs under-trained.
Hiring/recruiting practices often discriminatory
SOPs not well written.
Public did not respect LEOs as professionals.
History of Accreditation
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October 1971 – Tasked to develop
National Criminal Justice Standards
Law Enforcement Assistance
Administration provided $1.75 million in
grant money to develop standards for law
enforcement agencies.
CALEA
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement
Agencies
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1979 CALEA formed by:
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IACP-International Association of Chiefs of Police
NOBLE-National Organization for Black Law
Enforcement Executives
NSA-National Sheriff’s Association
PERF-Police Executive Research Forum
Accreditation became part of the answer to the
problems of the past generation and is also part
of the solution to issues confronting law
enforcement today.
Florida Statutory Consideration
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1993 F.S. 943.125
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Encouraged FSA & FPCA to create an
independent voluntary LEA accreditation
program.
In response to a need to assure the public
that quality services are delivered in
accordance with recognized standards.
CFA
The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation
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Developed a process for accreditation that
required compliance with more than 250
professional standards designed
specifically for Florida law enforcement
agencies.
Comprised of four sheriffs, four chiefs, and
one representative each from the
Association of Counties, the League of
Cities, and the Judiciary.
Accredited vs. Non-Accredited
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1993 – 1997 study by the
Intergovernmental Risk Management
Agency (IRMA)
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Saves money in lawsuit defenses
21% of state/local LEOs work for accredited
agencies.
17% Accredited agencies had fewer lawsuits.
Paid out 35% less in awards than nonaccredited agencies.
Accredited vs. Non-Accredited
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10 agencies accredited October 1996
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100 + agencies accredited to date
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160 agencies in process
What is Accreditation?
“… the bestowing of credentials symbolizing
approval from a professional organization
upon practitioners or specific institutions.
It is a progressive and time-proven way of
helping organizations evaluate and
improve their overall performance.”
Goals and Objectives
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To establish and maintain standards that
represent current professional law enforcement
practices;
To increase effectiveness and efficiency in the
delivery of law enforcement services;
To establish standards that address and reduce
liability for the agency and its members;
To establish standards that make an agency and
its personnel accountable to the constituency
they serve;
Accreditation
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It is not mandatory!
Does not dictate “how” you accomplish
your goals, mission, or delivery of
services.
It does not tell you who to hire, fire, or
promote.
It is not a rubber stamp.
Accreditation
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Is affordable, achievable and maintainable
Provides guidelines for professional law
enforcement practices
Is good business
Reinforces federal, state, and local laws
Standards are developed by peers
Is a vehicle for implementing change
Initial Steps
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CEO and agency commitment 
Appoint/hire and Accreditation Manager 
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Team
Committee
Agency-wide 
Consult with Program Manager 
Obtain a manual, purchase software 
Review Policies and Procedures 
Attend Accreditation Manager Training 
Initial Steps
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Self Assessment
Visit accredited agencies 
Become familiar with standards 
Evaluate facility
Update written directives
File construction 
Benefits to Agency
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Clearly defined lines of authority
Consistency in operational procedures
Provides a quality work environment
Increases employee morale through
statewide recognition
Benefits to Agency
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Strengthens the agency’s defense against
lawsuits and complaints
Review of agency status and readiness
Possible reduction in insurance liability
premiums and lawsuit settlements
More efficient use of limited resources
Benefits to CEO
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Ensures that policies and procedures are
documented and defendable
Assurance personnel are trained according
to CEO’s policies and procedures
Increased confidence in CEO’s ability to
manage the organization
Increases availability of decision-making
information
Benefits to Community
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Increased confidence in agency’s ability to
deliver quality law enforcement services
Improved community and agency
interaction
Efficient use of law enforcement tax
dollars
Better trained officers
Accreditation Time Line
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Full Compliance – 24 months
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Contract signed August 2004
Estimated Mock Assessment –
May 2005
Estimated Full Assessment – August 2005
Estimated Accreditation Meeting –
October 2005
Policy Review
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Standard identified by Accreditation
Manager
Determination made as whether a current
Written Directive exists or a new Written
Directive should be developed
Personnel identified to review Written
Directive’s/standard
Assistance Request Assignment
made/logged and sent to personnel
Policy Review
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Assistance request will include;
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Standard #
Date of request
Due Date of request
Attached to Assistance request
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Quick print of standard;
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Standard#
Topic of Standard
Text of Standard
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Bullets (each bullet MUST be addressed/may use multiple
Written Directive’s)
Compliance Keys
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Indicates whether standard requires a written directive,
observation, etc…
Policy Review
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When Request for Assistance received;
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Note Due Date-Notify A/C. if cannot be met
For current policies;
Ensure that all language is current and accurate
 Ensure that Written Directive identifies practices in
place
 If Written Directive does not reflect practices,
make suggestions for change (in writing)
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Simply Put
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Accreditation helps to bring law
enforcement up to the level that it should
be at anyway.