Accreditation
An accreditation program has long been recognized as a means of maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Accreditation is the certification by an independent reviewing authority that an entity has met specific requirements and prescribed standards. Law enforcement agencies in Florida can attain accredited status through the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.
Since 1993, in accordance with Florida Statute 943.125, Florida Law Enforcement agencies have had access to this voluntary accreditation program, which is overseen by a commission of public safety executives and staffed by members of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The process requires compliance with more than 250 professional standards designed specifically for Florida law enforcement agencies. The Gulfport Police Department achieved accreditation on February 9, 2000. The commission requires a thorough assessment every three years, and Gulfport was reaccredited in 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012 and again in 2015. Our most recent recognition included the Commission’s “Excelsior” award, which is reserved for agencies that are reaccredited five consecutive times without conditions. It takes a minimum of sixteen years to earn this honor, and very few have achieved it.
Gulfport is also honored to have two accreditation assessors on staff. Chief Vincent and Commander Stone are both active as assessment team members who are called upon by the commission to serve on teams to conduct onsite reviews of other Florida law enforcement agencies. This speaks volumes about the faith the commission has placed in our knowledge, skills, and abilities, but it also offers us regular opportunities to get a close look at operations in other locales. This experience helps ensure that GPD is always at the state of the art.
Accreditation Program Manager, Cdr. Joshua Stone
727-893-1111
jstone@mygulfport.us
Since 1993, in accordance with Florida Statute 943.125, Florida Law Enforcement agencies have had access to this voluntary accreditation program, which is overseen by a commission of public safety executives and staffed by members of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The process requires compliance with more than 250 professional standards designed specifically for Florida law enforcement agencies. The Gulfport Police Department achieved accreditation on February 9, 2000. The commission requires a thorough assessment every three years, and Gulfport was reaccredited in 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012 and again in 2015. Our most recent recognition included the Commission’s “Excelsior” award, which is reserved for agencies that are reaccredited five consecutive times without conditions. It takes a minimum of sixteen years to earn this honor, and very few have achieved it.
Gulfport is also honored to have two accreditation assessors on staff. Chief Vincent and Commander Stone are both active as assessment team members who are called upon by the commission to serve on teams to conduct onsite reviews of other Florida law enforcement agencies. This speaks volumes about the faith the commission has placed in our knowledge, skills, and abilities, but it also offers us regular opportunities to get a close look at operations in other locales. This experience helps ensure that GPD is always at the state of the art.
Accreditation Program Manager, Cdr. Joshua Stone
727-893-1111
jstone@mygulfport.us