MANSFIELD — The Richland County Sheriff’s Office was awarded its national accreditation on March 22 by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) in the Law Enforcement program.
The agency was first accredited in 2017.
Following a multi-year self-assessment phase and a meticulous site-based assessment of community engagement, policy, procedures, equipment and facilities by CALEA assessors, Sheriff J. Steve Sheldon and Accreditation Manager Capt. Brian Gunder attended the CALEA conference in Garden Grove, California.
Each agency being reviewed, goes before CALEA’s 21-member Board of Commissioners where the commission reviews all findings and determines the agencies’ accreditation status.
On Saturday, March 22, the CALEA Commission voted to approve reaccreditation of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office. CALEA President Marlon Lynch and Executive Director W. Craig Hartley Jr. awarded the Richland County Sheriff’s Office with accreditation, signifying excellence in public safety and commitment to community.
This is the Richland County Sheriff’s Office 3rd award of national accreditation.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office is one of only five other Sheriff’s Offices accredited in Ohio.
Sheriff Sheldon is very proud of this accomplishment. As part of remaining accredited the agency accepts the obligation to continue the required yearly compliance audits to remain accredited and continue to keep the agency striving for professional excellence.
On behalf of Sheriff Sheldon, he commends all the employees of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for demonstrating their commitment to professional standards in policy and practice.