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An accreditation program has long
been recognized as a means of maintaining the highest standards
of professionalism. Accreditation is the certification by an
independent reviewing authority that an entity has met specific
requirements and prescribed standards.
In 1998, the Winter Park Police
Department, in keeping with it's long tradition of being a progressive
and professional agency, began the process of trying to obtain
accredited status through the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement
Accreditation.  During
the following 2 years, the Department worked hard and either
re-wrote or added policies and procedures to the Department's
current Policy and Procedures Manual, in order to comply with
the more than 270 standards set forth by the Commission. After
a three day assessment the Department was recommended for accredited
status and on June 28, 2000 was awarded a Certificate of Accreditation
by the Commission, becoming the 70th law enforcement agency in
Florida to become CFA accredited. Currently there are over 200
CFA Accredited agencies in Florida.
Each accreditation period lasts
for three years and at the end of this time the agency must go
through a re-accreditation process. During the initial accreditation
period the Department was required to demonstrate that It's policies
and procedures met the required, established standards. During
the re-accreditation process, the Department has to demonstrate
that these policies and procedures are being followed. This is
the job of the Accreditation Section. The Section has to constantly
maintain files and records showing that compliance for each of
the standards is met with providing documentation for each. In
addition, the Section must make sure that any changes in policy
or new policies meet the requirements set forth by the Commission.
 In
2003, the Department was due for re-accreditation and on February
18, 2004, we were awarded with our Re-Accreditation Certificate.
Additionally during this re-accreditation period, the Department
applied to and was accepted into the Commission on Accreditation
for Law Enforcement Agencies' (CALEA) Recognition Program. This
nationally recognized program identifies 97 CALEA standards that
the agency must show compliance with in order to obtain the certificate.
In 2006, the Department's three
year period expired and once again application was made for re-accreditation.
Because of the diligent work of the Department, on February 28,
2007 the Commission granted the Agency it's second re-accreditation
status.
If you have any questions regarding
the Accreditation Section please contact Lt. Tom Pearson at 407-599-3507
or email: tpearson@cityofwinterpark.org.
Reasons for an agency
to become and remain accredited:
- A proven management system which supports decision
making and resource allocation.
- Reinforces the agency's ability to maintain
the highest standards of law enforcement services that represent
current professional practices.
- Maintain a level of services that reflect the
community policing philosophy.
- Ensures policies and procedures are documented
in writing, with clearly defined lines of authority.
- Strengthens the agency's defense against lawsuits
and complaints.
- Assurance that agency personnel are trained
and functioning according to established polices and procedures.
- Makes it easier for agencies to purchase police
liability insurance, increase coverage, with lower premiums.
- Increase community advocacy and pride and employee
morale through statewide recognition of the agency's professionalism,
excellence, and competence.
- Assures government leaders of the quality of
services delivered by their law enforcement agency.
- A quality work environment for well trained
professionals that aid in recruiting and retaining qualified
personnel.
Benefits of accreditation
For the Community:
Accreditation increases the
law enforcement agency’s ability to prevent and control
crime through more effective and efficient delivery of
law enforcement services to the community it serves.
Accreditation enhances community understanding of the law enforcement
agency and its role in the community as well as its goals and objectives.
Citizen confidence in the policies and practices of the agency is increased.
Accreditation, in conjunction with the
philosophy of community policing, commits
the agency to a broad range of programs (such as crime prevention) that
directly benefit the public.
Accreditation creates a forum in which police and citizens work together
to control and prevent crime. This partnership will help citizens to
understand the challenges that confront law enforcement. Law enforcement
will, in turn, receive clear direction from the community about its expectations.
Thus, a common set of goals and objectives will be arrived at and implemented.
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For the Chief:
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Increases cooperation and coordination with
other law enforcement agencies and other branches of the
criminal justice system.
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;
-
correction of internal
deficiencies and inefficiencies before they become
public problems;
-
the opportunity to re-organize
without the appearance of personal attacks.
Accreditation, in conjunction with the philosophy
of community policing, commits
the agency to a broad range of programs that directly benefit the public.
Accreditation creates a forum in which police and citizens work together
to control and prevent crime. This partnership will help citizens to
understand the challenges that confront law enforcement. Law enforcement
will, in turn, receive clear direction from the community about its expectations.
Thus, a common set of goals and objectives will be arrived at and implemented.
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For the Officer:
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Accreditation requires that agency policies
and procedures are in written form and are available to
all agency personnel at all times.
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.
The agency is compelled to operate within
specific guidelines. It is accountable to the Commission.
The agency must stay in compliance with the standards set
forth by the Commission in order to retain its accreditation.
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.
Accreditation policies address officer safety
issues and provide for adequate training and equipment
of the officers.
Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes
professionalism, excellence, and competence. Employees
will take pride in their agency, knowing that it represents
the very best in law enforcement.
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