Ocoee Police Department earns first certificate of accreditation

Following a thorough assessment, the Ocoee Police Department has earned its first Certificate of Accreditation.

Deputy Chief Saima Plasencia wrote that the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. awarded the department its certificate on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Accredited law-enforcement agencies are recognized as delivering the highest level of professional law-enforcement services.

"Accreditation has long been recognized as a means of maintaining the highest standards of professionalism," Plasencia wrote. An independent reviewing authority will certify that an organization has met specific requirements and standards, and that certification results in accreditation. 

"Since 1993, law enforcement agencies in Florida have attained accredited status through the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc.," Plasencia wrote.

The Ocoee Police Department was certified by a team of assessors, who are law-enforcement officials specially trained by the Commission to conduct assessments. The assessors examined the department's policies, procedures, management, operations and support services.

All in all, Plasencia said, the Ocoee Police Department had to demonstrate compliance with approximately 250 standards — including those critical to life, health and safety issues — in order to receive accredited status.