Sheriff's department accredited for first time
The Butler County Sheriff's Department has been accredited by the state for the first time in county history, Sheriff Mike Slupe announced Friday.
Slupe said the state Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, which is a part of the state Police Chiefs Association, accredits law enforcement agencies across the state that meet the commission's rigorous policies and procedures standards in areas like evidence, fingerprinting, bulletproof vests, protection from abuse orders, harassment and hiring.
“There's a lengthy process to go through,” Slupe said.
He said law enforcement agencies must apply for the accreditation, which his office did in 2011. Normally the process takes half as long, Slupe said, but the deputy in charge of the accreditation is in the armed forces and has been deployed overseas several times since applying.
The sheriff's department is required to prove that all policies and procedures used match those of the commission.
“We had to show that we're compliant with the standards,” Slupe said.
He said just 117 law enforcement agencies received the three-year accreditation this year, including seven sheriff's departments.
“I am extremely proud of all the deputies and especially the executive staff who worked so very hard with the commitment to the success of this program,” Slupe said.
A representative of the state commission and the county commissioners at their Wednesday morning meeting will officially present Slupe with the accreditation.
“I want our office to perform at the highest standards possible,” Slupe said of the recognition, “and what better standard than the industry standard for law enforcement.”
