SRSO Jail is Re-accredited

A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) arrived on August 21, 2007 to examine all aspects of the Santa Rosa Jail's policies, procedures, management, operations, and support services. In order to keep their accredited status, the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office was required to comply with approximately 254 standards. The assessment team was composed of correctional practitioners from similar agencies who are specially trained for these types of audits. The assessors reviewed written materials; interviewed individuals; and visited offices and other places where compliance could be witnessed. Once the assessors completed their review of the agency, they reported their findings back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to keep their accredited status. The accreditation process covers a three year time frame and is voluntary. Sheriff Hall said that "accreditation is a highly prized recognition of professional excellence and he is proud to be a part of this process." For the agency the advantages of accreditation are 1) Increase in cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies and other branches of the criminal justice system. 2) The accreditation process requires an in-depth review of every aspect of the agency's organization, management, operations, and administration to include: establishment of agency goals and objectives with provisions for periodic updating; re-evaluation of whether agency resources are being used in accord with agency goals, objectives, and mission; re-evaluation of agency policies and procedures, especially as documented in the agency's written directive system. 3) correction of internal deficiencies and inefficiencies 4) The accreditation standards provide norms against, which agency performance can be measured and monitored over time 5) Accreditation provides the agency with a continuous flow of Commission distributed information about exemplary policies, procedures, and projects 6) Accreditation provides objective measures to justify decisions related to budget requests and personnel policies. 7) Accreditation serves as a yardstick to measure the effectiveness of the agency's programs and services. The services provided are defined, and uniformity of service is assured and 8) Accreditation streamlines operations, providing more consistency and more effective deployment of agency manpower. For the deputies themselves the advantages of accreditation are 1) Accreditation requires that agency policies and procedures are in written form and are available to all agency personnel at all times 2) Accreditation assures employees that every aspect of the agency's personnel system is in accord with professional standards, and that the system is both fair and equitable 3) The agency is compelled to operate within specific guidelines. It is accountable to the Commission and must stay in compliance with the standards set forth by the Commission in order to retain its accreditation 4) The morale of the agency is enhanced by increasing the employees' confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of their own agency. Operations become more streamlined and consistent 5) Accreditation policies address officer safety issues and provide for adequate training and equipment of the officers 6) Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence. Employees can take pride in their agency, knowing that it represents the very best in law enforcement and corrections.