Burlington Review

The Burlington County Sheriff’s Office is seeking national accreditation for the first time. Sheriff James H. Kostoplis announced the initiative, highlighting the collaboration with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA) to achieve this recognition. From August 18 to 20, CALEA assessors will be on-site to review all aspects of the office’s policies, procedures, management, and support services.

Accreditation is a voluntary process. The office must meet 181 standards set by the commission to be accredited. Sheriff Kostoplis stated, “CALEA Accreditation is the gold standard for public safety agencies. It demonstrates a commitment to professionalism, continuous improvement, and community trust by ensuring the policies and practices meet internationally recognized best practices.”

The community can review a copy of these standards at the Sheriff’s Office by contacting Undersheriff Odise Carr or emailing him. Participation from agency personnel and the public is encouraged through a portal on the Burlington County Sheriff’s Office website. Comments will be directly sent to CALEA for review and shared with the Sheriff.

For those preferring traditional mail, comments can be sent to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement in Gainesville, Virginia, or emailed to calea@calea.org.

Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel remarked, “From securing the Courthouse and County facilities to locating fugitives, installing car seats, and supporting local police departments, the Burlington County Sheriff’s Office delivers a wide variety of services that are integral to keeping residents safe and secure. Seeking CALEA accreditation is another outstanding initiative undertaken during Sheriff Kostoplis’ command to modernize the office and ensure it’s organized in a way that allows officers and agents to better serve our residents.”