Accreditation

In 2015, the Pinellas Park Police Department developed a three-year strategic plan that set out a series of goals and objectives for our organization in consultation with members of our community. One of those objectives was to achieve state law enforcement accreditation.

The Pinellas Park Police Department is proud to have unanimously been awarded accredited status by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) on February 21st, 2018. 

The Pinellas Park Police Department was reaccredited in February 2021. 

Accreditation Ceremony

Accreditation Process

The accreditation process began with an in depth self-assessment conducted by members of the agency’s accreditation team.  The goal of self-assessment is to ensure that agency policies and operations are within acceptable accreditation standards. 

In November of 2017, a team of assessors from the CFA conducted a thorough onsite assessment of the Pinellas Park Police Department. They examined all aspects of the department’s policies, procedures, management, operations, and support services. The assessors found the agency in full compliance with 200 standards that were applicable to the agency.

The Pinellas Park Police Department is committed to the accreditation process, as it provides confidence that our agency is following industry best practices and provides a mechanism that aides in our constant pursuit of professionalism. 

Achieving accredited status provides our community and its citizens with the knowledge and assurance that the police department is operating under the highest of standards set forth by the State of Florida.  The department’s core values of integrity, service, professionalism, and dedication helped guide the agency through the accreditation process.  These same values and accredited status will serve as a solid foundation from which the agency will continue to grow and better serve the community.

Reaccreditation

To achieve accredited status is a challenge, to maintain it is both a challenge and an ongoing process.  In order to maintain accredited status, the agency must submit to inspection by Commission assessors every three years.  At that time, the agency must prove to the assessment team that the agency was in compliance with each standard for each of three years since it was last inspected.  This requires agency accreditation team members to monitor changes to accreditation standards.  Florida accreditation standards can be amended or new standards adopted due to changes in Florida law, case law, or modifications to professional best practices.  

Accreditation Team

The agency accreditation process is managed by members of the Special Services Section.  In addition to ensuring our agency maintains its compliance, multiple department members also serve on assessment teams and as assessment team leaders for the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.  Their selection for these positions by the CFA provides us with a high confidence that our personnel are properly interpreting standards and helping us to maintain our proper course.  In addition, through their participation in outside agency assessments, our team members regularly get a chance to view other agency policies, operations, and programs, which helps to provide us with new ideas and ways to improve our own operations.

For more information on Florida law enforcement accreditation, please visit www.flaccreditation.org. 

Accreditation Decal


CFA Seal