Accreditation Jeopardy...YAYYYY!

Accreditation 101

100

What is accreditation?

Accreditation is certification by an independent authority that an agency meets established professional standards.

200

What is the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA)?

The Florida organization responsible for establishing law enforcement accreditation standards.

300

Agencies must undergo reassessment every ????? years to maintain accreditation.

Three years. We are due in August 2027. 

400

How many mandatory standards must we comply with and what percentage of non-mandatory standards must we comply with to achieve accreditation?

We must comply with all mandatory standards and at least 80% of non-mandatory standards.

500

Ok, so why do we do it? Why does accreditation matter? 

• Ensures policies and procedures are documented in writing and are defendable     
• Assurance your agency personnel are trained and functioning according to your policies and procedures 
• Strengthens the agency’s defense against lawsuits and complaints   
• Increases community pride and employee morale through statewide recognition 
• Professional review of agency operations, personnel practices and training policies
• Increased confidence in the agency’s ability to deliver quality law enforcement services
• Increases community pride and employee morale through statewide recognition

But what does she do???

100

Accreditation Management

Proofs of Compliance

Inspections and Audits

Agency Requirement Tracking

200

Grant Manager

I manage and coordinate grants as the Grant Manager point of contact for the City. I am not the agency's dedicated full-time grant writer. 

300

Policy Writing

Reviews agency directives regularly to ensure they remain current with law, accreditation standards, best practices, and operational needs. Directives are reviewed every two years and high-liability policies are reviewed annually. 

400

Rumor has it! According to many officers, the Accreditation Manager spends her day sitting in an office or is up veryyyy late at night inventing new policies and procedures just to ruin patrol’s shift. True or False?

Absolutely not. I do however sit on committee made up of accreditation professionals that reviews proposed changes to standards and determines how agencies must adjust policies and procedures. We meet three times a year and when accreditation standards change, we often must update policies, procedures, and sometimes create new documentation to prove compliance with this requirement. 

500

Who is actually responsible for our agency's accreditation?

You are! Policies don’t get agencies accredited. Practice does. And supervisors are the ones who ensure policy becomes practice.

I'm a Boss (Meek Mill voice)

100

Once you become a sergeant, how long do you have to satisfy an agency-approved supervisory program? 

Prior to or within 12 months of promotion. 

200

How often as a sergeant are you required to complete a facility check of the temporary holding facility (jail) and what are you looking for? 

Health and Safety of all Prisoners

Daily-

• Cleanliness (flushing of all toilets and removal of all debris, blankets, etc.);
• Inspect Panic buttons;
• Supplies, i.e., First Aid Kit; and
• Checks for weapons, contraband, and damaged equipment.

Weekly-

• Inspect firearm extinguisher and alarms;
• Test Panic Buttons
• Test Metal Scanner
• Check forms/logs for completeness and accuracy

300

True or False:

As a sergeant, you will be required to complete personnel evaluations. Supervisors must receive training in the agency’s evaluation system before conducting employee evaluations.

True!

400

When reviewing a report involving a domestic violence incident, what documentation and victim-assistance requirements must a supervisor ensure are completed before the report is approved, and what follow-up action must occur within 24 hours?

• Victim’s Rights Information/Brochure Provided

• Domestic Violence Information/Brochure Provided

• Victim Advocate/Resources Provided

• Lethality Assessment Completed

• Report Forwarded to a Domestic Violence Center Within 24 Hours

500

How frequently are line inspections conducted, and what is the primary purpose of these inspections?

Line inspections are conducted quarterly. Their purpose is to ensure personnel, equipment, and vehicles comply with agency policies, procedures, and professional standards, while also identifying deficiencies that require corrective action.