VIRGINIA LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONAL
STANDARDS COMMISSION (VLEPSC) ACCREDITATION

The Virginia Law Enforcement Accreditation Coalition (VALEAC) is an organization composed of law enforcement personnel directly or indirectly involved in Virginia law enforcement accreditation activities. VALEAC was established in 1993 as an alternative to a national program. The commission is overseen by a board of directors comprised of Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs from across the state selected for their expertise and knowledge. It is also supported by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).

State accreditation is the best measure of an agency’s compliance with professional law enforcement standards. VALEAC accreditation provides a thorough inspection and review of agency policies, procedures, and operations as defined by 180 standards that are divided into four areas: administration, operations, personnel, and operations

THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS
The accreditation process can be along and arduous task, often taking one-to-two years to complete. The basic outline is:

• The agency develops policies and procedures that show compliance for each VLEPSC standard by providing supportive documentation.
• Compliance requires that each standard must be documented with a series of proofs of compliance. This documentation can include written directives, other documentation (training photos, etc) interviews, and observations.
• Assessment teams consisting of VLEPSC members will conduct assessments of an agency by reviewing the agency’s accreditation files, touring the facility, viewing a static display of agency equipment, interviewing personnel, and participating in ride-a-longs

• The assessment team reports their recommendations to the VLEPSC Board of Directors for approval.
• An accreditation certificate will then be presented at a formal ceremony to the Sheriff.

ACCREDITATION AND THE COMMUNITY
Accreditation provides a standard to analyze the delivery of law enforcement services while reinforcing to the public and other law enforcement peers that Brunswick County Sheriff's Office is operating at an acceptable level for the profession. Additionally, accreditation facilitates a process of review for the agency. There are over 400 law enforcement agencies in Virginia, Brunswick County Sheriff's Office is the 59th agency receive accreditation.