Pictured from left to right: Charles Sitzenstock, Charles R. Cargin, Eric J. Critser, Manager Lisa M. Lanham,
Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman, Carolyn S. Coss, Bryan W. Therieau, Charles J. Hampton, Francis C. Gercas.
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is pleased to announce that the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Property and Evidence Section has been reaccredited through the International Association of Property and Evidence (IAPE).
SCSO is only the second agency in Florida to receive the IAPE accreditation which was awarded the first time in September of 2020. The agency was slated to be reaccredited in late 2023, but due to reorganization within IAPE and rewriting of the accreditation standards, it was delayed. At the end of 2024 the final preparations were made for the IAPE on-site assessment, which required the formulation of additional documents and revision of current documents in order to prove compliance with the updated standards of IAPE.
“The process was tedious, but we are committed to security, organization, and professionalism,” stated Property and Evidence Manager Lisa Lanham. “The hard work was definitely worth it.” Lanham also shared that in its assessment IAPE wrote that SCSO is “an exemplary model for other agencies in upholding best practices and maintaining the criminal justice system’s integrity through effective property and evidence management.”
Accreditation through IAPE has been offered to law enforcement agencies that meet strict standards related to best practices in evidence management since 2014. The process of accreditation demonstrates to a community that the agency will ensure the integrity of the criminal justice process by protecting and preserving evidence to the highest standard.
“Maintaining this accreditation means we are continuing a legacy of excellence within the Property and Evidence Section of the agency and continuing to work at the highest standards in law enforcement,” stated Seriff Kurt A. Hoffman.