The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded State Certification by the Georgia Police Accreditation Coalition and Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.
Sheriff Darrell Dix stated that, “We started down the road to State Certification immediately after my administration began in 2017. We examined the agency thoroughly, and policy wise we wiped the slate clean and started from scratch. We put in place a standard operating procedures manual and policies that raised the bar in the way we conduct business, and continually monitor our progress and adherence to those policies and procedures. We rebuilt the way the agency operates and at the same time changed the way we interact and involve ourselves with the community, communicate, and work to build trust. We are more transparent and accountable in all areas including use of force, professional standards, fiscal accountability, training, patrol function, and investigative function, among others.”
According to the GACP website, “State Certification status represents a significant professional achievement. The GACP has identified standards that are felt to be essential to the efficient and effective operation of law enforcement agencies. Certification acknowledges the implementation of policies and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective. The standards provide a detailed blueprint for professional enforcement. They ar credible, realistic, flexible and effective. The standards incorporate contemporary professional thought and practices in the State and will ensure the goal of increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of Georgia law enforcement agencies. The benefits of certification include confirmation that agency practices are consistent with progressive professional standards, greater operational and administrative effectiveness, enhanced understanding of agency policies and practices, greater public confidence in the agency, recognition in the field of outstanding achievement, reduced liability potential, and greater governmental and community support”
The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office is the twenty-third Sheriff’s Office in the state of Georgia to obtain State Certification.
Sheriff Darrell Dix indicates that, “Obtaining State Certification demonstrates to the community that we have policies and procedures in place that are in line with recognized best practices for law enforcement agencies. We adhere to these policies and we are accountable for the way we operate.”
“Everyone who works at the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office pitched in and we went from scratch to a state certified agency in just three short years. I couldn’t be prouder of them for this achievement and the work they do every day to make Spalding County better.”