In November 2021, our Sheriff's Office and Detention Center began the long and detailed process towards becoming accredited agencies through two nationally renowned accreditation organizations: CALEA and NIJO.
Accreditation begins with a 2-3 year initial assessment, wherein we compare our operations to the standards set forth by CALEA and NIJO and adjust our policies and procedures accordingly. When we believe we are in compliance with all standards, the accreditation company sends assessors to evaluate our agency. Finding us well-equipped and in compliance, they award us our accreditation certificates.
But it doesn't stop after the initial assessment; accreditation is an ongoing process that requires re-inspection by CALEA and NIJO assessors every four years. During the in-between years, audits and inspections are continually conducted to ensure the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center is maintaining their prestigious status of being accredited.
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement’s major executive associations. The CALEA Accreditation program seals are reserved for use by those public safety agencies that have demonstrated compliance with CALEA Standards and have been awarded CALEA Accreditation by the Commission.
The purpose of CALEA’s program is to make sure our policies are well-suited and followed correctly, providing safety and security not only for our own personnel, but also for any persons who come in contact with our agency or deputies.
Specifically, CALEA’s goals are to:
- Strengthen crime prevention and control capabilities;
- Formalize essential management procedures;
- Establish fair and nondiscriminatory personnel practices;
- Improve service delivery;
- Solidify inter-agency cooperation and coordination; and
- Increase community and staff confidence in the agency.
We are not yet CALEA accredited, but are on the road to be accredited within the next 2 years.
For more information on CALEA visit their website at www.calea.org
The National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO) was formed in 2011 as the primary resource dedicated to serve those that operate jails, detention and correctional facilities. Recognizing the enormous liability and increasing litigation facing administrators, NIJO provides a compilation of legal-based resources and information for agencies to make facilities safer and more secure, proactively defend against frivolous litigation, and protect against adverse publicity and liability.
Because accreditation guidelines are based on case law, the requirements of the accreditation process are consistent among all jails, regardless of size and structure.
These are the most cited benefits of those agencies seeking NIJO Accreditation:
- Discover dysfunction, misconduct and noncompliance before it results in litigation, embarrassment or other harm
- Proactively defend against lawsuits by measuring current policies and practices to what is required by the law
- Justify requests for additional funding
- Improve staff training, development and professionalism
- Create safer environment for staff and offenders
- Reduce liability insurance costs
For more information on NIJO visit their website at www.jailtraining.org
Accreditation Team
These are the members working hard behind the scenes:
Amber Brumley, CALEA Clerk
Tracey Happy, NIJO Clerk
Mabel McIntosh, Accreditation Manager
John Teale, Support Services Division Commander
Tracy Wade, Detention Administrative Lieutenant
For questions, please contact Accreditation Manager McIntosh at 816-407-3754.