For the first time in Champaign County history, a Sheriff has earned this law enforcement accreditation. Sheriff Chad M. Burroughs and his team are celebrating a major milestone as the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office joins a select group of just 36 law enforcement agencies across Ohio to receive the recognition.
The accreditation is considered the gold standard in law enforcement, recognizing agencies that demonstrate a strong commitment to professionalism, accountability, and service to their communities.
The announcement was made Wednesday during the quarterly meeting of the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board. Champaign County was one of just three agencies recognized, alongside the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and Springboro Police Department.
For Sheriff Burroughs, the achievement represents months of hard work and a shared commitment among the men and women of the office to continually improve and provide the best possible service to residents.
The following is a press release from the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office:
“This is more than an accreditation; it is a historic achievement for the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens we proudly serve. For the first time in our county’s history, our Sheriff’s Office has earned this prestigious recognition, placing us among a select group of law enforcement agencies across Ohio. When I took office less than two years ago, one of my priorities was to raise the standards of professionalism, accountability, and service within our organization. Today, I am extremely proud to say that the dedicated men and women of this office have accomplished that goal. This recognition belongs to every member of the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence made this historic achievement possible. Most importantly, it demonstrates to the citizens of Champaign County that their Sheriff’s Office is committed to meeting the highest professional standards in law enforcement.”
Governor Mike DeWine created the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program in 2024. Agencies must voluntarily meet or exceed nearly three dozen state standards covering professional conduct, bias-free policing, crisis intervention, and community engagement.
The accreditation process includes a detailed review of an agency’s policies and practices to ensure those standards are being met.
The program is free for Ohio law enforcement agencies and is the only state-administered accreditation program of its kind in the country that does not charge agencies to participate.
For Burroughs and his staff, the recognition is a proud moment for the office and another step forward in their commitment to serving Champaign County.\
