www.ocso.com

Orange County Sheriff's Office
to  Host  CALEA  Meeting  in  Orlando
March 19-22, 2003
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies

FIRST Photograph in from OCSO/CALEA Conference
Orlando, Florida
Written by R. Edward Morrow
NRLO Media Director
(who was on-site at the Convention)

(Photograph of 2003/03/20 by R. Edward Morrow, NRLO Media Director)
OCSO new Accreditation Manager Steve Hougland (left) CALEA Executive Director Sylvester Daugherty (right) during Conference in Orlando, Florida. The conference was a great success with over 1,000 people in attendance.  In a special meeting, Executive Director Daugherty told NRLO's Ed Morrow, "Departments with Reserve/Auxiliary Officers can apply for accreditation so long as the Department's Reserves have the same training as full-time Law Enforcement Officers with full arrest powers."  He further stated that Departments that have Reserves with fewer requirements can still be accredited.  See the report and more photographs below.

CALEA Encourages Use of Reserves in Law Enforcement
Lieutenant Steve Hougland told NRLO: "It's because of Sheriff Beary and his commitment that OCSO maintains high standards of Law Enforcement for all Units in the Department, including Reserves.  CALEA standard helps maintain an enhanced Reserve Officer Force."

Written by R. Edward Morrow
NRLO Media Director

Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) in Orlando was host for the 2003 CALEA Spring Conference March 19-22.  "It was a resounding success," according to Lieutenant Steve Hougland, Orange County Sheriff's Office CALEA Accreditation Manager.  More than 1,000 conferees attended the four-day seminar.

(PHOTOGRAPH RIGHT:  OCSO CALEA STAFFER DEPUTY HARRY REID STANDING NEXT TO OCSO EMERGENCY VEHICLE AT CALEA CONFERENCE.)

James O'Dell, CALEA President said in a message to the conferees:  "The purpose of CALEA's 70th Conference is to recognize over 100 candidate agencies seeking accreditation, reaccreditation or recognition as well as to conduct other Commission business.  Attendees have the opportunity to attend important training classes dealing with the accreditation/recognition processes, in addition to contemporary public safety issues."

After welcoming remarks by OCSO Sheriff Kevin Beary, the Conference was underway.  Sheriff Beary noted that his agency is composed of more than 18 Units including a Reserve Unit.

(PHOTOGRAPH AT RIGHT:  INDIANA - PLAINFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT CAME TO ORLANDO WITH THEIR EXHIBIT.)

In an interview with NRLO, Lieutenant Hougland explained that accreditation means a Department is meeting cricical standards in Law Enforcement training and educaiton.  Houghland went on to say: "A CALEA accredited agency is likely to have fewer liability issues than an agency that is not accredited due to its conformance to strict standards of Law Enforcement.  Being accredited in the Law Enforcement community is akin to being accredited in the medical or scholastic community.  It's a preception that we are committed to high standards."

During the interview, Hougland was asked about Reserve Units and accreditation.  He said:  "A Reserve Unit in itself is not accredited.  Accreditation is for the entire agency.  An agency that has Reserves and is accredited by CALEA is the promise that the Reserve Unit members have met critical standards in training and performance."

(PHOTOGRAPH AT LEFT:  ATTENDEES AT AN ACCREDITATION MANAGER SEMINAR)

NRLO also interviewed CALEA Executive Director Sylvester Daughtry regarding agencies with Reserves.  He said, "I encourage the use of Reserves in Law Enforcement.  I was Greensboro, NC, Chief of Police for eleven (11) years where I had a Reserve component.  Greensboro has been accredited since 1986; and as a matter of fact, Reserves still serve in that agency.  If an agency has Reserves and wants to be accredited by CALEA, we will work with that agency in order to achieve that goal.  So long as an agency's Reserves have full authority to arrest and investigate crimes, and has the same level of training as full-time Officers, the agency can be accredited.  There has to be basic criteria in order for any Department with or without Reserves to be CALEA certified."

The cost of accreditation doesn't come without commitment of resources that include money and manpower.  Depending on the size of the agency the primary and secondary costs for an agency varies.  Their web site gives more information (address below).  Houghland went on to say: "The local CALEA staff works continuously with its agency Departments regarding new and updated procedures and training.  It's because of Sheriff Beary and his commitment that OCSO maintains high standards of Law Enforcement for all Units in the Department, including Reserves.  CALEA standard helps maintain an enhanced Reserve Officer Force."

This conference was a sucess.   There were many exibitors at the conference.  (PHOTOGRAPH AT RIGHT:  ATTENDEES STOP AT ONE OF THE MANY EXHIBITS.)

(PHOTOGRAPH AT LEFT:  CHIEF DENNIS WAYNE, IN SHORTS, IS THE OWNER OF "BOOK'EM PRODUCTIONS.  HIS EXHIBIT DREW MANY CONFEREES.)

The next conference is scheduled for July 9-12, 2003, CALEA Summer Conference at Detroit, Michigan.

For more information, write: CALEA, 10306 Eaton Place, Suite 320, Fairfax, VA 22030 or call:  1-800-368-3757 or 703-352-4225.  FAX 703-591-2206.  Visit CALEA's web site at www.calea.org.

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OCSO is the "First Agency in Orange County" to receive both International and State Accreditation.

"Since being accredited is a significant event for a Law Enforcement Agency, we expect in excess of 1200 Law Enforcement professionals from the United States and Canada, including many CEOs and executives, to attend this Commission meeting." 

Letter to NRLO from Sheriff Beary

Letter from Captain Philip M. Finlay, Accreditation Manager

www.ocso.com

Letter to NRLO from Sheriff Kevin Beary:

The Orange County Sheriff's Office is pleased to announce that it will host a meeting of the "Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies" (CALEA) in March, 2003.  Accreditation is a voluntary, coveted award that recognizes a Law Enforcement agency's "excellence" and "professionalism".  Accreditation also allows us to improve our service delivery and boost citizen confidence in the agency.

The "Orange County Sheriff's Office" is accredited through CALEA and has been since 1995, having been re-accredited in 1998 and 2001.  The Commission meets (3) three times a year at different locations around the country to grant accredited status to Law Enforcement agencies meeting the required standards.

Since being accredited is a significant event for a Law Enforcement Agency, we expect in excess of 1200 Law Enforcement professionals from the United States and Canada, including many CEOs and executives, to attend this Commission meeting.  We are proud to have been selected to host this conference as it gives us the opportunity to showcase Central Florida Law Enforcement and our Supporters.

In order to make this event successful, the Orange County Sheriff's Office needs, and is requesting, your support.  Supporters will have their efforts advertised in materials provided to all attendees and displayed at various conference events.  Please contact my Accreditation Manager, Captain Phil Finlay, or any member of the Accreditation Staff, at 407/251-2460 for information or questions concerning your support.  Thank you for your assistance.
SHERIFF KEVIN BEARY
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE
ORLANDO, FLORIDA

www.ocso.com

Letter to NRLO from Captain Philip M. Finlay, Accreditation Manager

Reference is made to the letter from Sheriff Beary.

We at the Orange County Sheriff's Office recognize that our partnership with you is important and appreciate your consideration of Sheriff Beary's request.

The Commission on accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies revisits each accredited agency every three years to determine compliance with all standards applicable to that particular agency.  Three times each year the commission meets to award certificates to those agencies demonstrating compliance.  That is the purpose of the March, 2003, conference in Orlando.  Considerable attendance from around the country is expected.

For this conference, we are in need of assistance in obtaining the following.

• Promotional items to be distributed to all registered attendees
• Products, goods, or services awarded as door prizes
• Discounted literature designed to encourage attendees to visit particular establishments
• Sponsorship of social events, such as a hospitality suite
• Financial sponsorship
• Vendor booths
• Advertisements in conference program.

Please contact myself, or Captain George Regain at 407/251-2460 should there be any questions.  We can be contacted at the Orange County Sheriff's Office web site www.ocso.com , or visit the CALEA web site at www.calea.org . 

On behalf of Sheriff Beary, I wish to thank you for any assistance you can provide.  Your support of the concept of excellence and professionalism in Law Enforcement is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Captain Philip M. Finlay
Accreditation Manager
Orange County Sheriff's Office
Orlando, Florida

Web Author note:  Visit the professional, informative web site of the Orange County Sheriff's Office at "http:/www.ocso.com."  Congratulations to Sheriff Beary and Captain Finlay on being selected to host the March, 2003, CALEA Conference.  And Congratulations on the great web site.  We hope your meeting is a success.