PONCE INLET, Fla. -- The Ponce Inlet Police Department has been recognized among the top law enforcement agencies in Florida, achieving its fourth re- accreditation from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.
The police department was recognized at a meeting in Weston on Nov. 1, by the Commission, which includes sheriffs, chiefs, judges, and other law enforcement executives who reviewed detailed evaluations of Ponce Inlet’s police operations, procedures, facilities and equipment. The police department worked through the exhaustive re-accreditation process for the past three years.
In July, a Commission Assessment Team visited Ponce Inlet to inspect all aspects of the police department, review extensive paperwork, interview staff and observe daily operations. As part of the accreditation process, Ponce Inlet had to comply with 32 chapters and 238 professional standards.
The standards set forth by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation serve as a guide for the agency to strengthen its operations, improve service delivery, solidify interagency cooperation and establish fair and nondiscriminatory personnel practices. Ultimately the standards improve the department’s ability to boost citizen and staff confidence in the agency.
The Commission meets three times per year to oversee the accreditation program and to officially accredit agencies that passed the rigorous review process. The evaluation team leader reported: “It is the recommendation of the assessment team the Ponce Inlet Police Department be favorably reviewed by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.”
“This recognition will put the Ponce Inlet Police Department in an elite group of professional law enforcement agencies that meet or exceed law enforcement industry standards," Chief Frank Fabrizio said, praising Lt. Max Binz in particular in leading the effort, and adding, " The evaluation was outstanding and nothing makes me prouder than to work with the men and women of this police department ”
“This recognition will put the Ponce Inlet Police Department in an elite group of professional law enforcement agencies that meet or exceed law enforcement industry standards," Chief Frank Fabrizio said, praising Lt. Max Binz in particular in leading the effort, and adding, " The evaluation was outstanding and nothing makes me prouder than to work with the men and women of this police department ”
The accreditation team acknowledged that Ponce Inlet exceeded the accreditation standards and that “The Ponce Inlet Police Department has a solid commitment to the accreditation process. It was apparent each member is supportive of this endeavor and is driven to provide excellent, professional and dedicated service to the town. The members of the agency were helpful and confirmed through interviews and observations the agency’s policies are integrated into the way they do business.”
Benefits of accreditation include the department’s obligation to conduct a complete review of agency policies and practices to ensure they are consistent with modern policing concepts. Confirming the agency not only has modern policies in place, but that the officers are applying them effectively and consistently.
Accreditation demonstrates compliance with industry and professional standards and performance criteria and provides an independent measure of assurance to the tax-paying citizens of the community served.
The accreditation is valid for three years, and the agency will be required to maintain compliance with applicable standards.