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Public comment sought on FCSO reaccreditation
sheriff

FORSYTH COUNTY — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is in the process of getting reaccredited and will welcome public comment on its ability to comply with accreditation standards.

Agency personnel and residents are invited to share input at an information session set for 6 p.m. Monday in the large conference room at the Forsyth County Public Safety Complex, 3520 Settingdown Road.

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies will examine the agency’s policy and procedures, management, operations and support services, according to Sheriff Duane Piper.

This is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation, a “highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence,” Piper said.

Anyone who wants to provide comments to the assessment team but can’t make it Monday night can call (770) 886-2800, Ext. 4072, between 2 and 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Telephone and in-person comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the standards.

A copy of the standards is available at the office, 875 Lanier 400 Parkway, Suite 131, in Cumming.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments can do so to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Va. 20155.

The program manager for this process is Forsyth Sheriff’s Sgt. Gregg Boyer. He can be reached at (770) 781-3075.

Boyer said the assessment team is made up of law enforcement personnel from similar, but out-of-state, agencies. They will review written materials, conduct interviews and visit offices and other places where compliance can be witnessed.

Once the review of the agency is complete, they report back to the full commission, which will then decide if the local sheriff’s office will be reaccredited, Boyer said.

Accreditation lasts for three years. During that time, the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.