What is accreditation?
The accreditation process is an on-going, quality, performance and practice review of the agency. A successful reaccreditation is contingent upon the agency’s ability to demonstrate compliance with all standards. Professional Standards within the General Services Division maintains the agency’s international and state accreditations through the accrediting bodies listed below.
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA)
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) accreditation is the “Mark of Professional Excellence” for a public safety agency and reflects the gold standard benchmark. This program requires agencies to comply with state-of-the-art standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office became the first law enforcement agency in Northeast Florida to receive accredited status from the CALEA, and is referred to as “First on the First Coast” on July 27, 1991. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to excellence and has been continuously re-accredited since 1991.
CALEA conducts formal assessments every four years. Next CALEA assessment: March 2025.
CALEA Public Comment Portal
Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. (CFA)
Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. (CFA) was developed by the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association. This law enforcement accreditation process requires compliance with professional standards designed specifically for Florida law enforcement agencies.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office was granted accredited status through CFA on October 17, 1996. The Excelsior Award, which recognizes agencies who have successfully earned five continuous unconditional re-assessments, was earned in July 2011. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to excellence and has been continuously re-accredited since 1996.
CFA conducts formal assessments every three years. Next CFA assessment: March 2026.
Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission, Inc. (FCAC)
The Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission, Inc. (FCAC) was developed by Florida Sheriffs to allow Florida Correctional Facilities to rise above the mandated Florida Model Jail Standards (FMJS) maintained by all facilities. This corrections accreditation process requires compliance with professional standards designed specifically for Florida Detention Centers.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office was granted accredited status through FCAC on June 22, 2004. The Excelsior Award, which recognizes agencies who have successfully earned five continuous unconditional re-assessments, was earned in June 2019. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to excellence and has been continuously re-accredited since 2004.
FCAC conducts formal assessments every three years. Next FCAC assessment: March 2025.
Florida Telecommunications Accreditation Commission (FLA-TAC)
The Florida Telecommunications Accreditation Commission (FLA-TAC) was developed by the Florida Police Accreditation Coalitioan (FLA-PAC). This accreditation process requires compliance with professional standards designed specifically for Florida Communication Centers.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office was granted accredited status through FLA-TAC on February 21, 2019. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Communications remains committed to excellence and has been continuously re-accredited since 2019.
FLA-TAC conducts formal assessments every three years. Next FLA-TAC assessment: October 2024.