Accreditation

On February 21, 2017 the Palatka Police Department achieved Florida accreditation by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.

The Palatka Police Department was granted State Accredited status through the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. (CFA) on February 23, 2017. Our agency complied with the state accepted standards for excellence in the delivery of law enforcement services and was granted state accredited status. CFA status is for a period of three years with a reaccreditation process of agency self-assessment, mock on-site inspection, official on-site review of agency policy compliance to state standards, and a hearing held by the Commission.

Through their dedication and professionalism, the men and women of the Palatka Police Department went above the statewide standard in law enforcement. Accreditation enhances a community’s understanding of the law enforcement agency’s role; as well as its goals and objectives.

Initial Accreditation:

February 25, 1999, Awarded at the commission conference.

Most Recent Reaccreditation:

February 23, 2017, Awarded at the commission conference.

The accreditation provides the following benefits:

To the community:

Accreditation increases the law enforcement agency’s ability to prevent and control crime through more effective and efficient delivery of law enforcement services to the community it serves.

Accreditation enhances community understanding of the law enforcement agency and its role in the community as well as its goals and objectives. Citizen confidence in the policies and practices of the agency is increased.

Accreditation creates a forum in which police and citizens work together to control and prevent crime. This partnership will help citizens to understand the challenges that confront law enforcement. Law enforcement will, in turn, receive clear direction from the community about its expectations. Thus, a common set of goals and objectives will be arrived at and implemented.

To the Chief of Police:

Increases cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies and other branches of the criminal justice system.

The accreditation process requires an in-depth review of every aspect of the agency’s organization, management, operations, and administration to include:

Establishment of agency goals and objectives with provisions for periodic updating;

Re-evaluation of whether agency resources are being used in accord with agency goals, objectives, and mission;

Re-evaluation of agency policies and procedures, especially as documented in the agency’s written directive system;

Correction of internal deficiencies and inefficiencies before they become public problems;

The opportunity to re-organize without the appearance of personal attacks.

The accreditation standards provide norms against which agency performance can be measured and monitored over time.

Accreditation provides the agency with a continuous flow of Commission distributed information about exemplary policies, procedures, and projects.

Accreditation provides objective measures to justify decisions related to budget requests and personnel policies.

Accreditation serves as a yardstick to measure the effectiveness of the agency’s programs and services. The services provided are defined, and uniformity of service is assured.

Accreditation streamlines operations, providing more consistency and more effective deployment of agency manpower.

To the Officers:

Accreditation requires that agency policies and procedures are in written form and are available to all agency personnel at all times.

Accreditation assures employees that every aspect of the agency’s personnel system is in accord with professional standards, and that the system is both fair and equitable.

The agency is compelled to operate within specific guidelines. It is accountable to the Commission. The agency must stay in compliance with the standards set forth by the Commission in order to retain its accreditation.

The morale of the agency is enhanced by increasing the employees’ confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of their own agency. Operations become more streamlined and consistent.

Accreditation standards address officer safety issues and provide for adequate training and equipment of the officers.

Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence and competence.  Employees will take pride in their agency, knowing that it represents the very best in law enforcement.

Accreditation is the continuing pursuit of excellence.   While a few members may be tasked with documenting this pursuit, every member of the Palatka Police Department is responsible for contributing to this effort, which when achieved, will be a sense of pride for all.