On December 7, 2022, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly was honored with an award for his service as the Chair of the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation over the last year.

Sheriff Staly was elected by his peers to serve as the Chair on October 7, 2021. Sheriff Staly had previously served as the Vice-Chair from 2020-2021 and as a Commissioner from 2018-2020. CFLEA is an independent 15-member commission established by Florida Law whose members are appointed by the Florida Sheriff’s Association, Florida Police Chief’s Association, and City/County Government Organizations.

“This commission stood strong and stood for our values, our principles, and integrity of accreditation and held the Florida accreditation process up high as a leader and beacon of what professional law enforcement accreditation should be across the country,” said Sheriff Staly in his outgoing comments.  “States that are not cutting edge in accreditation look at Florida as a role model. It has been my honor and pleasure to serve you.”

Accreditation is the certification by an independent commission that an agency has met specific requirements and standards. The commission meets three times per year to oversee the accreditation program and to officially accredit or re-accredit agencies that have passed the rigorous review process to ensure accredited agencies remain in full compliance. Agencies can also have their accreditation revoked for non-compliance. An accreditation program is recognized as a means of maintaining the highest standards of professional law enforcement service. Sheriff Staly has been involved in accreditation since 1996 at the state and international levels. Sheriff Staly’s term was the first time in FCSO’s history that a Flagler Sheriff had been elected Chair of the Commission.

Currently, there are 180 Law Enforcement Agencies and 40 Inspector General Offices accredited in Florida. Accreditation has been at the forefront of police reform measures across the country and Florida has been a leader in police accreditation.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) is a 4-Diamond accredited Agency maintaining accreditation in 9-1-1 Communications, Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Ethics. FCSO was first accredited in 2005 and has maintained accreditation ever since.

Learn more at: http://www.flaccreditation.org/