Policy Text
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 309 – Accreditation
Page 1 of 3 TITLE: ACCREDITATION 309
EFFECTIVE: 07/01/2015 REVISED: 10/03/2025 SCOPE : ALL EMPLOYEES
REVIEW AUTHORITY: PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS SECTION LIEUTENANT
CFA STANDARDS: 10.03M, 10.18
309.01 Accreditation Process 309.04 Responsibilities of Accreditation
309.02 Assessments 309.05 Annual Compliance Report
309.03 Benefits 309.06 Training
Policy: Accreditation is a voluntary process where by a law enforcement agency is given approval
by an official review board, after the agency has met specific standards. The Department is
committed to the concept of accreditation and is prepared to voluntarily achieve accredited status
by compliance with standards established by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement
Accreditation (CFA.) The Department shall establish an accreditation management system and
orientation program that provides for the introduction, administration, and maintenance of the law
enforcement accreditation process. Employees shall demonstrate continuous compliance
throughout the entire three (3) year accreditation cycle with the De partment established directives.
309.01 Accreditation Process: Every three (3) years the Kissimmee Police Department signs a
contractual agreement with CFA. The agency undergoes a self-assessment process managed by
the Professional Standards Section. To achieve accreditation the Department must comply with
the standards established by CFA, which are organized into thirty -two (32) chapters. Each standard
is designated either as mandatary or other than mandatory. In order to achieve accreditation, the
department must comply with all applicable mandatory standards and a minimum of eighty percent
(80%) of applicable non-mandator y standards.
309.02 Assessments:
Self-Assessment – refers to the internal systematic analysis of an agency’s operations and
management, to determine if it complies with applicable standards. Self -assessment requires the
careful review of the program -specific to the CFA Standards Manual in making these
determinations. Self -assessment is a process, not a destination. Self -assessment has three (3) basic
purposes:
a. To achieve compliance with applicable standards;
b. To establish proofs of complianc e with those standards; and
c. To prepare for the assessment review by CFA assessors.
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 309 – Accreditation
Page 2 of 3
Mock Assessmen t – is when the agency arranges for a simulated assessment by a mock assessment
team. While this practice is not required, it is highly recommended to prepare the agency for its
formal on-site assessment. The mock assessment team will review documents, conduct interviews,
observe agency operations, etc. and then make recommendations for areas of improvement.
Formal Assessment – is when the Department completes a self -assessment and requests an
assessment to be scheduled, this happens during at the end of the third (3rd) year of the accreditation
cycle. CFA sends an assessment team of public safety practitioners to the agency. The highly
qualified team of professionals shall conduct an objective and comprehensive assessment to verify
compliance with applicable standards, and submit a report to with recommendations to assist the
Commission in its decision to award accreditation.
309.03 Benefits: Achieving accreditation requires a comprehensive, in -depth external review of
every aspect of the Departme nt, to include administration, operations, and management.
Accreditation also:
a. Helps establish guidelines, best practices and standards in operational capabilities and
delivery of services;
b. Ensures the Department ’s policies and procedures are in written form and available to all
personnel;
c. Establishes consistency in operational procedures with clearly defined lines of authority.
d. Promotes employment practices which are in accord with professional standards that are
fair, equitable and nondiscriminatory ;
e. Provides neutral guidelines for developing strong budget justifications;
f. Provides performance norms against which the agency can be measured and monitored;
g. Reduces the likelihood of vicarious liability suits again st the Department;
h. Demonstrates the agency’s commitment to providing high quality services, with effective
and responsible policies and procedures.
309.04 Responsibilities of Accreditation: The Accreditation Manager directly reports to the
Lieutenant in the Professional Standards Section and is responsible for the process of
Accreditation. An employee assigned to the position of Accreditation Manager shall receive
specialized accreditation manager training within one (1) year of being appointed. [CFA 10.18] At
a minimum, the training should include information on the essential components of the process,
the standards manual, and file maintenance. The Accreditation Manager shall attend continuous
training provided by CFA and attend the CFA Standard Review and Interpretation Committee
(SRIC) .
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 309 – Accreditation
Page 3 of 3
The Accreditation Manager shall have the command authority to discharge the duties and
responsibilities of the ir position by having direct access to Division Captains and access to agency
facilities and records in order to collect or verify proofs of compliance and perform the inspections
required by CFA standards. The Accreditation Manager shall develop and disse minate a list of
documents necessary to maintain compliance with accreditation standards. The Accreditation
Manager shall provide updates about the agency’s compliance with the Chief of Police, Deputy
Chiefs and Division Capt