SHALIMAR, Fla., Oct. 9, 2019—The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office will go through an accreditation review later this month.

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. will arrive Oct. 28 to examine all aspects of the Sheriff’s Office’s policy and procedures, management, operations and support services.

Verification that the Sheriff’s Office meets the commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to maintain accreditation—a highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence, said Sheriff Larry Ashley.

As part of the assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session Oct. 29 at 5:30 p.m.

The session will be conducted in the OCSO headquarters training room located at 50 2nd St. in Shalimar.

Individuals who cannot speak at the public information session may provide comments to the assessment team by telephone at 850- 609-2005 Oct. 30 between 9 and 11 a.m.

Telephone comments and appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards.

A copy of the standards is available for review at OCSO headquarters in Shalimar. Local contact is Inspector Ron Kimble, 850-651-7410.

Those who wish to offer written comments about the OCSO’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Inc., 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155.

Accreditation validates the OCSO’s ability to prevent and control crime through more effective and efficient delivery of law enforcement services to the community it serves.

The Sheriff’s Office has to comply with 417 standards to maintain its continued status.

Once accredited, OCSO must submit annual reports during its four-year accreditation period attesting continued compliance with those standards.

For more information regarding the CALEA, contact the commission in writing, call 703-352-4225 or email calea@calea.org.

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office news release