“Operational excellence” a hallmark for local law enforcement
Hard work and high standards have earned the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) recognition from the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association (GSA).
The GCSO has received the GSA’s Office of Sheriff accreditation which recognizes that it meets professional best-practice standards across all its specific functions.
“We do what we say we do. We are following the rules, we are doing the right thing,” said GCSO Captain Frank Copeland.
To get accreditation, a sheriff’s office must meet 236 standards on areas ranging from jail operations, court security, civil process, sex offender registration and other duties.
Certification helps protect the GCSO from lawsuits by establishing a good track record, Copeland said.
The GCSO was one of six counties at this fall’s GSA fall conference to earn this accreditation.
It first became certified in 2008. Re-certifying means allowing outside agencies to check that GCSO is following proper procedures, Copeland said.
As of today, 14 of Georgia’s 159 counties have accreditation.
“Both of these certification and accreditation programs are completely voluntary,” Sheriff Stacy Nicholson said. “They’re not required by law or regulation, but we choose to pursue them as an added commitment to our citizens to show that your sheriff’s office is dedicated to operating at the highest professional standard possible.”
The most important thing about certification is that it shows GCSO’s commitment to protecting and serving the citizens of Gilmer County, Copeland said.
“The citizens of this county are going to have deputies that treat them right,” he said. “If we have to arrest someone, we’re gonna do it as professionally as we can.”