Accreditation team invites public comment about VPD

VPD

A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) will arrive July 9 to examine all aspects of the Venice Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services. VPD has to comply with approximately 250 standards in order to receive accredited status. Many of the standards are critical to life, health, and safety issues.

As part of the assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team. A copy of the standards manual is available through the Venice Police Department’s Records Division at 941-486-2670 or the Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation website at http://flaccreditation.org/standards.htm

For more information regarding CFA or for persons wishing to offer written comments about VPD’s ability to meet the standards of accreditation, please write: CFA, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302, or email [email protected]

The Accreditation Coordinator for the Venice Police Department is Kevin Vespia, who states the assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and other areas where compliance can be witnessed.

Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then determine if the agency is to maintain accredited status. The Venice Police Department’s accreditation is valid for 3 years. Verification by the team that VPD meets the Commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain or maintain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence, Chief Charlie Thorpe said.