To assist the sheriffs in maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, the Sheriffs’ Association offers accreditation programs for the corrections, court security, civil, and 911 communications (PSAP) divisions of the sheriff’s offices. The accreditation process improves operations, increases morale, reduces incidences of liability, reduces insurance costs and presents a professional image to the community.
The Corrections Accreditation Manual details 166 standards that a county must meet or exceed in order to earn accreditation. Standards cover all aspects of corrections division operations, including: personnel, uniform standards of procedure, division organization, recognition of employee performance, mission statement, fiscal management, maintenance of county-owned and non-county-owned property, records management, use of force, internal affairs, public relations, jail functions, and health standards.
Click button below to access the Sheriffs’ Association Corrections Division Accreditation Manual (1998).
An updated manual will be available soon.
The Court Security Accreditation Manual details 39 standards that a county must meet or exceed in order to earn accreditation. Standards cover all aspects of court security division operations, including: personnel selection and training; prisoner transport, custody & holding; high-risk trial plans; firearms assignment; chain of command; courtroom prisoner security; courtroom assignments; special assignments; portable radio communications; weapons screening; emergency medical response; equipment; court facility physical security standards; emergency response plan; court facility physical security standards; and court facility entry weapons screening standards.
Click button below to access the Sheriffs’ Association Court Security Division Accreditation Manual.
The Civil Division Accreditation Manual details 121 standards that a county must meet or exceed in order to earn accreditation. Standards cover all aspects of civil division operations, including: personnel recruitment, selection, training, discipline, performance & evaluation; uniform standards of procedure; division organization; employee performance recognition; mission statement; fiscal management; records management; use of force; internal affairs; public relations; and office operations standards.
Click the button below to access the Sheriffs’ Association Civil Division Accreditation Manual (2013).
The Civil Accreditation Manual (2027), linked below, will be effective as of January 1, 2027.
The 911 Communications (PSAP) Division Accreditation Manual details 38 standards that a county must meet or exceed in order to earn accreditation. Standards cover all aspects of 911 division operations, including: administration; training; technology; operations; emergency response plan; uniform standards of procedure; public relations; and office operations standards.
Click button below to access the Sheriffs’ Association PSAP Accreditation Manual (2015).
The PSAP Accreditation Manual (2027), linked below, will be effective as of January 1, 2027.
For more information about accreditation, please use the contact form below to email Program Manager Tom Mitchell, or contact your local accredited sheriff’s office by clicking button below.
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