SARASOTA, FL. – February 3, 2017 – 8 a.m.
A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) will arrive March 7, 2017, to examine all aspects of the Sarasota Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. The Sarasota Police Department has to comply with approximately 260 standards in order to receive accredited status. Many of the standards are critical to life, health and safety issues.
As part of the on-site assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team. A copy of the standards is available online at http://www.flaccreditation.org/standards.htm under the 5.02 version. For more information regarding CFA or for persons wishing to offer written comments about the Sarasota Police Department’s ability to meet the standards of accreditation, please write: CFA, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, Florida32302, or email to info@flaccreditation.org.
The Accreditation Manager for the Sarasota Police Department is Cheryl Houpt. Ms. Houpt stated the assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and visit offices and other places where compliance can be witnessed.
Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission which will then decide if the agency is to receive accredited status. The Sarasota Police Department’s accreditation is for three years. “Verification by the team that the Sarasota Police Department meets the Commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain or maintain accreditation. This is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” said Chief Bernadette DiPino.
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