Ponce Inlet Police Department to undergo accreditation assessment by CFA.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

The Ponce Inlet Police Department is preparing for a comprehensive assessment by a team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA), scheduled to arrive on August 15, 2023.

The accreditation assessment will evaluate all aspects of the police department, including policies, procedures, management, operations, and support services. The department must meet various standards to attain accredited status, many of which are crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.

According to a release, the accreditation program manager for the Ponce Inlet Police Department is Ms. Gina Manchester, who states that the assessment team will be composed of assessors from similar agencies to review written materials, interview individuals, visit offices, and other areas.

Once the review of the agency is complete, the assessors report their findings to the full Commission to determine if the agency is to receive accredited or reaccredited status. Ponce Inlet Police Department’s accreditation will then be valid for three years. Verification by the team that Ponce Inlet Police Department meets the Commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain or maintain accreditation - a special recognition of professional excellence, Ms. Manchester said.

As part of this assessment process, both members of the agency and the general public are encouraged to provide their input and comments to the assessment team. The CFA has a copy of the standards manual on its website, www.flaccreditation.org, under the standards tab for reference.

Individuals who wish to share their written comments regarding the Ponce Inlet Police Department's ability to meet the accreditation standards can do so by contacting the CFA via mail at P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, Florida, 32302, or by email at flaccreditation@fdle.state.fl.us.