Clark County Sheriff’s Office seeking input on accreditation

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is looking for feedback on Friday as it works to renew its national accreditation.

People can comment at the sheriff’s West Precinct at 505 N.W. 179th St., Ridgefield from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday. People can also call 564-397-5861 to give comments from noon to 1 p.m. that day. Comments will be limited to 10 minutes, and people will be required to wear masks and social distance if commenting in person, according to the sheriff’s office.

To provide a written comment or for more information about accreditation, people can write to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155 or email calea@calea.org.

The department said that comments should be limited to its ability to comply with CALEA accreditation standards.

“The Clark County Sheriff’s Office must comply with 364 applicable standards in order to gain accredited status,” Sheriff Chuck Atkins said in a statement. “CALEA accreditation has helped our agency to stay on the forefront of the best in police practices in all the areas of responsibility mandated by law of the sheriff! I am pleased to say that we at the CCSO are proud of the fact that we have met this level of professionalism for over 30 years.”

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has been accredited since 1986. Accreditation lasts four years and the department is required to submit reports and ensure it remains in compliance with CALEA standards.