Deschutes SO receives re-accreditation

In a unanimous decision by Oregon sheriffs and chiefs in a meeting at the Department of Public Safety and Standards, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office earned re-accreditation from the Oregon Accreditation Alliance.

The Oregon Accreditation Alliance establishes professional standards of accountability, management and operations for Patrol and Investigative Services across the state. It exists to improve the quality of law enforcement agencies in Oregon and ultimately, the quality of services provided to the citizens of the state. Accreditation gives agencies independent confirmation that their policies and practices comply with a higher level of professional standards.

Ed Boyd, Executive Director for the Oregon Accreditation Alliance said, “I rank the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office above the top 1% of law enforcement agencies.”

Boyd also stated that it was apparent to him that the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office employees take the professional standards seriously and noted that many employees proudly display the accreditation pin on their uniform.

“This is an outstanding accomplishment for our Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Deschutes County. Accreditation requirements set the benchmark for professionalism in our agency. This professionalism ultimately improves our service to our citizens. These are not just a set of standards that we have in a file cabinet, we adhere every day to these standards as we “Proudly Serve Our Community’,” said Sheriff Larry Blanton.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office joined the Oregon Accreditation Alliance in March 2002 and received the initial accreditation in April 2004. Re-accreditation is awarded every three years.