Property and Evidence Section Earns Accreditation

NEWS RELEASE 20-121 - SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
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Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight is pleased to announce the Property and Evidence Section successfully earned accreditation by the International Association for Property and Evidence (IAPE) earlier this month.
 
Assessors conducted a four-day virtual visit in August to review policies and procedures, conduct staff surveys, audit cases, and view storage facilities. On September 3, the assessment team found the Property and Evidence Section to be in full compliance with all requirements. To maintain accreditation, the unit must be re-assessed every three years and submit documentation annually.
 
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is the first Florida sheriff’s office and only the second law enforcement agency statewide to become fully accredited with IAPE. Additionally, the agency is accredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) and Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission (FCAC). The agency’s Public Safety Communications Section holds accreditations by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) for law enforcement dispatch, and the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED) for medical and fire communications.
 
“Compliance with national and international guidelines is crucial to ensuring acceptable agency practices, especially involving property and evidence,” said Sheriff Knight. “Our personnel are deserving of this recognition for achieving the highest standards.”