Two Hires Speeding Up Police Accreditation

Two new hires have the Brooksville Police Department on the fast track to achieve national standards.

Chief George Turner started the accreditation process in December 2007 with steps such as re-writing policies and organizing the evidence room. Fourteen months later, the department is still preparing for its two-year evaluation period.

But recently Turner was able to coax two former Tampa International Airport police officers out of retirement to fill vacant positions. Both were heavily recruited because they bring with them years of experience in both training and accreditation.

That knowledge will help them with the ultimate goal of accreditation, but they're proving to be a gold mine in the short term, too.

Madeleine Austin was hired as a records clerk and administrative assistant, but she's also holding in-house training sessions for officers. That's helped save overtime and travel costs because officers are no longer driving to Ocala or Tampa for classes, Turner said.

Some of the training - proper use of force, for example - is mandatory for officers to renew their law enforcement certification. But Austin has also been able to educate officers on investigative techniques and legal updates.

"Training is what keeps officers on their toes," Austin said Friday. "It keeps not just officers safe, but the public, too."

Robert Dixon is the other sworn officer lured off the golf course to work part-time on the accreditation process. He's been sharing his wisdom on a daily basis with the younger officers on the force, Turner said.

That's important, because acquiring accreditation isn't just about appearances. When inspectors come around, they're going to ask tough questions to gauge how well they know department policy.

Once all of the paperwork is complete, a two-year evaluation period will begin with the Florida Police Accreditation Coalition. If all the requirements are met at the end of that period, then the Brooksville Police Department will be accredited.

Accredited agencies follow strict guidelines in areas such as evidence collection and policies and procedures. They are also more attractive to job applicants and hold stronger credibility in court, according to Turner.

Once the state standards are met, then the agency will aim for national accreditation.

The two hires are helping speed along the process, but accreditation can take years for a small agency, Turner said.

The chief couldn't give any general timeline, but added "we're well on our way."