Law Enforcement
The Process
An agency must apply to the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation to participate in the accreditation process.
The agency will be required to demonstrate compliance with all applicable mandatory standards and not less than 80% of applicable non-mandatory standards.
Proof of compliance with the standards is determined by an assessment team sent by the Commission, conducting a formal review of the agency’s policies, procedures and practices.
Assistance is available from the Commission, consultation with accredited agencies, and informal peer evaluation.
Agencies remain accredited for a period of three years. After the three year period, they must be reaccredited.
Full Compliance
An agency not currently accredited as an Advanced Law Enforcement agency by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) will be considered a full compliance agency. The agency will be required to demonstrate compliance with all applicable mandatory standards and not less than 80% of applicable other-than-mandatory standards.
Core Program
Florida agencies currently accredited as an Advanced Law Enforcement agency by CALEA are eligible to participate in the Core Program. This independent program focuses on life, health and safety standards as well as those standards specific to the State of Florida. It is intended to run separate from CALEA and agencies will be required to address all standards and bullets in this manual.
Applying to the Commission
Agencies must apply to the Commission in order to participate in the state accreditation process. Follow this link to our automated application process.
The Cost of Accreditation and Reaccreditation
The following fee structure has been established for both accreditation and reaccreditation.
| Number of Sworn Positions | Full Compliance Fee | Core Program Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 9 or less | Donation | Donation |
| 10-24 | $450.00 | $300.00 |
| 25-99 | $900.00 | $600.00 |
| 100-299 | $1,800.00 | $1,200.00 |
| 300-499 | $3,000.00 | $1,800.00 |
| Over 500 | $3,900.00 | $2,400.00 |
Corrections
The Process
- A facility must submit an application to FCAC to participate in the accreditation process
- After receiving the application, a copy of the agreement will be forwarded for review and signature.
- The facility must submit the accreditation fee upon signing the agreement.
| Rated Capacity | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 – 49 | $450.00 |
| 50 – 249 | $900.00 |
| 250 – 1,000 | $3,000.00 |
| 1,000+ | $3,900.00 |
- The facility will then have two years to come into compliance with all mandatory standards and not less than 90 percent of the non-mandatory standards.
- Proof of compliance is determined by an assessment team sent by the Commission, conducting an on-site review of the agency’s own policies, procedures and practices.
- It is recommended that all agencies perform a “mock” assessment prior to the actual onsite. The selection of assessors for the mock team is determined solely by the candidate facility and all costs including meals, travel and per diem is borne by the facility.
- Once accredited, facilities remain accredited for a period of three years. After the three year period they must be reaccredited.
Pretrial & Probation
- The Agency must submit an application to the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission to participate in the process.
- The CEO of the program signs an agreement that allows a two-year period to complete the process.
- Applicable fees are paid.
| Jurisdiction Population | Cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 100,000 | $450.00 |
| 100,001 to 250,000 | $900.00 |
| 250,001 to 500,000 | $1,200.00 |
| 500,001 to 999,999 | $1,800.00 |
| Over 1 million | $2,400.00 |
- The program conducts a self-assessment to determine levels of compliance with the standards.
- Specially trained assessors conduct an assessment with a written report forwarded to the Commission.
- The CEO appears before a panel of Commissioners to answer questions or to clarify issues from the assessment report.
- The Commission then renders a decision based on the assessment report and results of the panel hearing.
- Accredited status is granted for a period of three years. After the three year period the agency must be reaccredited.
Inspectors General
The Process
- An Office of Inspector General Investigations (OIG) must apply to the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation to participate in the accreditation process.
- The OIG will be required to demonstrate compliance with all mandatory standards and not less than 80% of non-mandatory standards.
- Proof of compliance with the standards is determined by an assessment team sent by the Commission, conducting an on-site review of the OIG’s own policies, procedures and practices.
- Assistance is available from the Commission in the form of consultation with accredited law enforcement agencies, and informal peer evaluation.
- Agencies will remain accredited for a period of three years. After the three year period they must be reaccredited.
Applying to the Commission
Agencies must apply to the Commission in order to participate in the Inspector General Investigation accreditation process. Follow this link to apply online electronically.
The Cost of Accreditation and Reaccreditation
The following fee structure has been established for both accreditation and reaccreditation.
| Number of Investigators | Full Compliance Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 – 3 | $900.00 |
| 4 – 8 | $1,500.00 |
| 9+ | $3,000.00 |