Submitted Media Release
James T. Hurley, Chief of Police
November 2, 2014 2:00 p.m.
The Fernandina Beach Police Department is proud to announce that our agency was recently re-accredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation at a formal recognition ceremony on October 8th near Tampa, Florida. The department was first awarded “accredited status” by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation on February 9, 2005 during a similar ceremony in Kissimmee, Florida. This most recent presentation represents the third successful attempt to retain our accreditation status, which is awarded for a period of three years.
Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence within the law enforcement community. By insuring that proper policies and procedures are in place and that all facets of police operations are maintained within acceptable legal and professional limits, the accreditation process improves our ability to prevent and control crime by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of our delivery of law enforcement services.
The accreditation process requires an in-depth review of every aspect of the agency, to include administration, organizational structure, management, supervision, and operations. Our agency is compelled to operate within specific guidelines and is accountable to the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, which conducts on-site visits and examines compliance with 276 different performance standards. Our Police Department must stay within those compliance standards set forth by the Commission in order to retain its accreditation status, and must then pass systematic reviews by outside assessors.
Accreditation serves to enhance both general and specific understanding of the Fernandina Beach Police Department, our goals and objectives, as well as our role as a community partner. Citizen confidence in our policies and practices, as viewed and documented by our state-mandated oversight board, has provided us with a strong foundation from which to grow our community policing philosophy and to increase the active participation of local stakeholders.
As an added bonus, Fernandina Beach Police Department employees naturally take great pride in the fact that their agency is fully accredited, knowing that it represents the very best in law enforcement.
I have had the opportunity now to be able to vote for the re-accreditation of the FB Police Department on 2 occasions.
Chief Hurley has done an outstanding job of providing the work environment that shows his dedication for the Accreditation process! Job well done Chief! The people of FB and Nassau county thank you and your officers and staff!!