The following is a press release from the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office:
The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office today announced that it is among 20 Ohio law enforcement agencies that will pursue accreditation through the new Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. This third phase follows the initial announcement of 10 accredited agencies in the state to complete the process and the second phase of 20 agencies pursuing accreditation.
Governor Mike DeWine created the program last year to recognize law enforcement agencies that voluntarily meet or exceed nearly three dozen state standards that address various core responsibilities such as professional conduct, bias-free policing, crisis intervention, and community engagement.
The phase III agencies include: Akron Children’s Hospital Police Department, Boardman Township Police Department, Brewster Police Department, Canton Police Department, Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Metro parks Police Department, Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfield Police Department, Granville Police Department, Greater Cleveland RTA Police Department, Hilliard Police Department, Independence Police Department, Marion Police Department, Medina Township Police Department, Ohio Investigative Unit, Ohio Veteran’s Home Police Department, Troy Police Department, Twinsburg Police Department, University of Cincinnati Police Department, and Wood County Parks District Police Department.
“Our participation in the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program underscores our ongoing commitment to professionalism, accountability, and transparency,” said Sheriff Chad M. Burroughs. “Earning accreditation through this program reflects our dedication to meeting the highest standards of law enforcement service and strengthening the public’s trust in our office.”
The program, which is the only state-administered accreditation program in the nation that does not charge law enforcement agencies to participate, is voluntary and open to all law enforcement agencies in the state.
Law enforcement agencies interested in accreditation can find more information on the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program’s website. Collaborative staff work with agencies seeking accreditation to ensure their local policies and practices meet state standards.
The accreditation program expands on a separate program – the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Certification Program – which has certified more than 600 law enforcement agencies on specific best practices regarding use of force and law enforcement recruitment, hiring, and screening. All certification standards are considered mandatory for accreditation.
The Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board was created in 2015 to strengthen law enforcement’s relationship with the public. It works in coordination with the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services and consults with the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association.
