Thursday, January 11, 2018
Sheriff Rogers Announces Accreditation Status for Corrections
Elkhart, Indiana- Sheriff Brad Rogers announced that on Sunday, January 7, 2018, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department received accreditation by the American Correctional Association’s Commission on Accreditation for Corrections. This is the department’s first time receiving this accreditation, receiving a score of 100 percent of mandatory standards and 99 percent of non-mandatory standards during the audit.
In order to achieve accreditation, the agency voluntarily complied with the best practices in Corrections as standards put forth by the American Correctional Association (ACA). Policy and practices were reviewed by three auditors from the ACA, all from other states and with many years of experience in the field. In October 2017, the auditors thoroughly inspected the correctional facility, its policies, and interviewed inmates and staff and as part of their 3-day on-site review.
With all three national accreditations held by the Sheriff’s department, this accreditation will grant the agency the title known as the “Triple Crown” by the National Sheriff’s Association. The other two accreditations are National Committee on Correctional Health Care (corrections’ medical department) and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (law enforcement services).
According to the National Sheriff’s Association, “Acquiring all three at the same time is an extraordinary feat. In fact, the Triple Crown distinction is so rare, that since the establishment of the award in 1993, fewer than 100 sheriffs' offices have qualified.” Of the 3,081 sheriff’s offices in the nation only 3% have ever achieved this feat.
Sheriff Rogers complimented the county’s corrections and maintenance staff on this achievement thanking them for their commitment to service and raising the bar in Corrections. Sheriff Rogers commented, “I am honored to work with a team that worked so diligently toward the accreditation process revealing our transparency, professionalism, and willingness to provide the best services to Elkhart County residents.”
Besides receiving its first Corrections accreditation status, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department’s law enforcement division received its 10th re-accreditation award in 2017, and continues to hold the distinction of being the first Sheriff’s Department in the nation to receive accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 1984.
Former Sheriff Brad Rogers receiving the accreditation award from the American Correctional Association Commissioners on Sunday after the panel hearing. From left to right: Commissioner Owen Murray, chairperson/Sheriff Michael Wade, Former Sheriff Rogers, Marla Cutter-Sheriff’s Corrections Accreditation Manager, Randy Cripe-Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Accreditation Manager, and Commissioner Lisa Stapleton.