FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2017
Contact:
Kraig Troxell, Public Information Officer, 703-771-5278
[email protected]
Alex Kowalski, Public Information Officer, 703-777-0625
[email protected]
Loudoun County, VA- The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office was officially presented the agency’s certification of reaccreditation awarded by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC).
In December 2016, a team of three assessors from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC) spent three days at the Loudoun Sheriff's Office thoroughly reviewing 192 standards. The standards cover all aspects of the agency to include patrol, administrative and special operation functions, court security, civil process, criminal investigations, and budget.
The certification was presented by VLEPSC Executive Board Member and New Kent County Sheriff J.J. McLaughlin, Jr. and Derrick Mays with the Virginia Department of Justice Services during the March 7 business meeting of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.
During the presentation, Mays told the board the Loudoun Sheriff’s Office is “a model agency for accreditation in this state. I’d put them up against anybody, anytime. It’s a great agency that you have here. They’re worthy of being honored here today." New Kent County Sheriff McLaughlin further praised the LCSO, saying the office “is a top notch agency, run by a fine sheriff who sets an example for all of us across the commonwealth.”
The LCSO was first accredited in 1999 and is one of 96 state accredited agencies in Virginia that is recognized by the commission. After being awarded accreditation in January, Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman said “the award of accreditation is a testament to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and the men and women who serve the community. The hard work, achievements, and professionalism of our employees are well recognized with this award.”
Agencies wishing to retain accredited status must complete the accreditation process every four years. During the four-year period, the agency must submit annual reports attesting to the continued compliance with accreditation standards.
Verification by the team of assessors that the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office meets the standards of VLEPSC is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation. A presentation of the accreditation team’s findings was made to the Executive Board of the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Accreditation Commission in Newport News, Va., on January 5. VALEC members made the findings official with a formal vote.
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