The goal of the Accreditation Section is to ensure two objectives:
· That the Leon County Sheriff's Office maintains its accredited status with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) and the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission (FCAC) through continuous compliance with applicable accreditation standards and assessment requirements, while also ensuring compliance with the applicable Florida Model Jail Standards (FJMS).
· That the Leon County Sheriff's Office objectively and systematically reviews office facilities, property, equipment, personnel, administrative functions, operational activities, and detention activities through regular inspections outside the normal supervisory and line inspection procedures.
The Accreditation Section accomplishes these objectives through the following functions:
· Accreditation and Standards Management - The ongoing review and management of applicable CALEA, CFA, FCAC, and FJMS standards and requirements to ensure assigned responsibilities, required activities, inspections, documentation, and proofs of compliance are completed and maintained in a timely manner. The Accreditation Section coordinates agency-wide accreditation and standards-compliance activities and works with affected divisions, sections, and personnel to ensure continued adherence to applicable professional standards.
· Quality Assurance - the objective review of all the Leon County Sheriff's Office facilities, property, equipment, personnel, processes, and procedures, as authorized by the Sheriff, to evaluate compliance with agency directives, accreditation standards, and applicable Florida Model Jail Standards. These reviews assist in identifying areas of compliance, addressing potential deficiencies, promoting effective and efficient operations, and providing the Sheriff and command staff with information necessary to support continuous organizational improvement.
· Policy Revisions - The periodic and scheduled review of agency general orders, policies, procedures, and other written directives to ensure they remain current, accurately reflect agency practices, and comply with applicable CALEA, CFA, FCAC, and FJMS requirements. Necessary revisions are coordinated with appropriate agency personnel to maintain consistency between written directives, operational practices, and applicable professional standards.
The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation was established in December 1994 and is comprised of four (4) Sheriffs, four (4) Police Chiefs, and one (1) representative each from the Association of Counties, the League of Cities, the State Law Enforcement Chiefs Association, the Judiciary, and the Inspector General.
On February 18, 1997, the Leon County Sheriff's Office became the third Sheriff's Office in the state of Florida to achieve accredited status through the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). Since achieving its initial accreditation, the Agency has successfully maintained its accredited status through each subsequent reaccreditation cycle and remains CFA accredited to date.
On June 27, 2000, the Leon County Sheriff's Office Detention Facility became one of only 18 detention facilities in the State of Florida, and the first in the Florida Panhandle, to achieve accredited status through the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission (FCAC), receiving an overall excellent rating. Since achieving its initial accreditation, the Agency has successfully maintained its accredited status through each subsequent reaccreditation cycle and remains FCAC accredited to date.
On November 16, 2024, the Leon County Sheriff's Office achieved accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), adding nationally recognized accreditation to the agency's longstanding state accreditation achievements.
CALEA accreditation provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating agency policies, procedures, management practices, operations, and service delivery against nationally recognized professional standards. Maintaining CALEA accreditation requires ongoing compliance, documentation, assessment, and organizational participation.
The addition of CALEA accreditation further demonstrates the Leon County Sheriff's Office's commitment to accountability, professionalism, organizational excellence, and continuous improvement.
The Florida Model Jail Standards (FJMS) establish minimum standards for the operation and maintenance of county and municipal detention facilities throughout the State of Florida. These standards address areas such as facility operations, inmate supervision and care, security, sanitation, safety, personnel practices, documentation, and other requirements associated with the safe and effective operation of detention facilities.
The Accreditation Section assists in monitoring and documenting compliance with applicable FJMS requirements and works collaboratively with Detention Facility personnel to identify and address compliance issues. FJMS compliance is incorporated into the Section's overall quality assurance, inspection, policy review, and standards-management processes.
Through accreditation with CALEA, CFA, and FCAC, together with continued compliance with the Florida Model Jail Standards (FJMS), the Leon County Sheriff's Office demonstrates its ongoing commitment to professional law enforcement and detention practices, accountability, organizational effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
The Accreditation Section coordinates and monitors these efforts to ensure that applicable standards are incorporated into agency policies and operational practices, and that required documentation, inspections, reviews, and proofs of compliance are completed and maintained.
Accreditation and standards compliance are ongoing agency-wide responsibilities. The Accreditation Section works collaboratively with agency personnel to ensure the Leon County Sheriff's Office continues to meet or exceed applicable professional standards and maintains its reputation as a professional, accountable, and progressive public safety organization.