Oviedo Police Department Accreditation

September 28, 2021


ACCREDITATION TEAM INVITES PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT OVIEDO POLICE DEPARTMENT

A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) will arrive November 2 – November 4 to examine all aspects of the Oviedo Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services. Oviedo Police Department has to comply with numerous standards in order to receive accredited status. Many of the standards are critical to life, health, safety issues, and best practices.

As part of the assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team. A copy of the standards manual is available on the CFA website at www.flaccreditation.org under the standards tab.

For more information regarding CFA or for persons wishing to offer written comments about the Oviedo Police Department’s ability to meet the standards of accreditation, please send correspondence to: CFA, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, Florida, 32302, or email to flaccreditation@fdle.state.fl.us.

The accreditation program manager for Oviedo Police Department is Jennifer Renner. She said the assessment team is composed of assessors from similar agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and other areas where compliance can be observed.

Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report to the full Commission, which then determines if the agency is to receive accredited or reaccredited status.   Oviedo Police Department’s accreditation is valid for three years. Verification by the team that Oviedo Police Department meets the Commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain or maintain accreditation--a highly prized recognition of professional excellence, Chief Dale Coleman said.

Police Accreditation Crest

about FLORIDA'S ACCREDITATION PROGRAM

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 1993, Florida Statute 943.125 directed that the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association create a voluntary law enforcement accreditation program. Representatives from these Associations developed a process for accreditation that required compliance with more than 250 professional standards designed specifically for Florida law enforcement agencies.

The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. was formed, comprised of four sheriffs, four chiefs, and one representative each from the Association of Counties, the League of Cities, the State Law Enforcement Chiefs’ Association, and the Judiciary. The Commission meets quarterly to oversee the accreditation program and to officially accredit agencies that have passed the rigorous review process.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) facilitates, coordinates and manages the State accreditation process. For more information on Florida Accreditation, visit their website.

Accreditation Standards

To be accredited an agency must meet hundreds of standards established by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation. These standards address all facets of the agency including administration, internal affairs operations, investigations, patrol, personnel, training, traffic, response to resistance and more.

Accreditation Benefits

The Accreditation function is responsible for ensuring that areas of the department remain in compliance with specific standards as set forth by the State of Florida. The community and the department benefit from this process because it reinforces an agency’s ability to maintain the highest standards of law enforcement services that represent current professional practices. The benefits of accreditation are numerous and affect many areas of a law enforcement organization as well as the community in which they serve, including:

  • Provides for State and Nationwide recognition of the desire for continued professional excellence
  • Requires a continuous in-depth review of the organization, management, operations and administration of the department
  • Ensures a systematic evaluation of policies and procedures
  • Mandates clearly articulated policies and procedures manuals
  • Contributes to improved communication and coordination with other law enforcement agencies and other branches of the criminal justice system
  • Allows for continuous access to information, trends and updates relevant to modern law enforcement practices
  • Ensures department members that every aspect of the personnel system is in accord with professional standards and is both fair and equitable
  • Increases employee confidence in the organization
  • Commits the agency to a broad range of programs that directly benefit the public
  • Increases community understanding, confidence and support
  • Deters litigation and lawsuits by citizens
  • Requires the agency accountable to the Commission. And must stay in compliance with the in order to retain accreditation status