Charles County Sheriff Rex W. Coffey is pleased to announce the Charles County Sheriff’s Office has received the Excellence Award from the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This marks the second time in two assessment periods the Charles County Sheriff’s Office has received the highest rating possible. It also marks the first time any law enforcement agency in the state of Maryland has achieved back-to-back perfect assessments. “I’ve never been more proud of our Agency, than I am today,” said Sheriff Coffey.
Accredited agencies under CALEA are required to undergo audits every three years. Before the 2013 assessment got underway, Sheriff Coffey instructed his Planning and Accreditation team to apply for the Gold Standard – the most comprehensive review with the strictest guidelines.
CALEA already has strict guidelines with which agencies must comply to be accredited. However, CALEA does allow agencies to determine the type of audit they are seeking. For instance, agencies just starting out in the accreditation process might choose a standard file review assessment and those who have been in the program for a minimum of two assessments and who meet certain other requirements can request a Gold Standard Assessment.
Douglas Goodman, Chief of Police for the Ashland Police Department in Virginia, and Lieutenant Daniel Isgett of the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina were the assessors assigned to conduct the audit. They began their work in August 2013. After an intensive on-site review – which included file reviews, static displays, ride-alongs, and interviews with employees, county residents and community leaders – the assessment team concluded the CCSO had achieved a perfect assessment.
According to a report prepared by the assessors, the team found the Charles County Sheriff’s Office to be well prepared, hospitable and exhibiting the highest levels of professionalism one would expect of a CALEA accredited agency. “It was clear the CALEA standards have become woven into the fabric of the Agency’s culture…and much credit must be given to the Accreditation Manager, Danny Johnson and his staff: Carol Davis, Reagan Henehan and Karlee Adams. Sheriff Coffey and his staff have set the highest of professional standards and performance expectations, and his agency rises to the challenge every time,” wrote Chief Goodman.
“During the static display and facility tour, the assessors were exceedingly impressed with all of our facilities, processes, operations and personnel,” said Johnson. “Each person they talked with was professional and extremely knowledgeable about Agency operations. Later, during their stay, the assessors talked with many sworn and civilian personnel and they attended roll calls and went on a ride-along at each district station. They were truly impressed with everyone they met,” Johnson said.
The report also highlighted a review of statistical data which proved the observations and conclusions by the team. “While the agency has seen a staggering increase in workload as demonstrated by a 47 percent increase in the calls for service since 2007, they have seen a reduction in Part I offenses by nearly 25 percent during that time period,” said Chief Goodman.
In addition, the assessment report highlighted two distinct programs unique to the Agency: the Volunteer Auxiliary program that utilizes citizen volunteers to assist the agency with tasks such as fingerprinting, motorist assistance and public assistance at special events and the Cadet program which i
