Hanover, VA – The Sheriff’s Office has been awarded its fifth consecutive international accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Colonel David R. Hines, sheriff, was presented with his reaccreditation certificate at the Hanover County Board of Supervisors meeting on February 10, 2016, by Mr. Travis Parrish, CALEA Director of Client Services and Relations.
“Our continued success in the accreditation process is a tribute to the professional men and women of the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and their commitment to excellence. It is also made possible by the tremendous support of the community we serve, as well as the exceptional partnerships we have developed over many years,” said Colonel David R. Hines, sheriff.
The Sheriff’s Office had their on-site assessment on June 7-10, 2015, and was found in full compliance with 410 applicable standards. The Sheriff’s Office first achieved international accreditation in 2003 and is dually accredited through CALEA and the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC). Participating in both processes is voluntary.
The lead assessor, Mr. Randall Cripe of the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, Elkhart, Indiana, stated in his final report to the Commission, “The agency has achieved widespread support for the CALEA process demonstrated by the cooperation of all staff members, employees, and members of the community who offered comment to the assessment team. All interactions with employees are positive, and the assessment team found the agency to be professional in respects in the performance of their duties. The agency remains committed to the delivery of elite law enforcement services as well as a valid, earned reaccreditation.”
To achieve reaccreditation, the Sheriff’s Office must undergo a rigorous on-site inspection every three years by multiple specially trained, independent assessors, who examine all areas of the agency to ensure compliance with all applicable professional standards set forth by the Commission. This requires the agency to maintain their accreditation files on an on-going basis and provide annual proofs of compliance.