Richland County Sheriff’s Office Maintains National Law Enforcement Accreditation by CALEAÒ
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office was awarded national accreditation on March 27, 2021 by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEAÒ) 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, Major Joe Masi and Accreditation Manager Mr. Richard Schuller attended the CALEA conference via teleconference. 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.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the usual CALEA Conference, where agencies are formally reviewed and awarded in person, was taken online to a virtual format. On Saturday, March 27, 2021, the CALEA Commission voted to approve reaccreditation of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office. CALEA President Anthony Purcell and Executive Director W. Craig Hartley, Jr. will formally award 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 2nd award of national accreditation.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office is one of only four 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.