According to Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office has achieved re-accreditation for the road patrol division.

On March 10, 2022, at DCJS Headquarters in the Alfred E. Smith building in Albany,  the New York State Law Enforcement Accreditation Council voted to approve the Washington County Sheriff’s Office’s application for re-accreditation following a recommendation from the council’s assessment team. 

The Sheriff’s Office was originally accredited in 2007 and is recognized for demonstrating a high level of excellence and professionalism in the field of Law Enforcement by continuing to meet the standards established by the New York State Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Council. Out of all of the law enforcement agencies in New York, only 162 are accredited. 

The Accreditation Program is comprised of a set of standards developed to further enhance the capabilities of an agency, and is divided into three categories. Standards in the Administrative section have provisions for such topics as agency organization, fiscal management, personnel practices, and records management. Training standards encompass basic and in-service instruction, as well as training for supervisors and specialized or technical assignments. Operations standards deal with such critical and litigious topics as high-speed pursuits, roadblocks, patrol, and unusual occurrences. 

The re-accreditation assessment team conducted a review of the Sheriff’s Office operations and found that the agency has maintained and is in full compliance with all applicable standards

Accreditation is a progressive and contemporary way of helping police agencies evaluate and improve their overall performance. It provides formal recognition that an organization meets or exceeds general expectations of quality in the field. Accreditation acknowledges the implementation of policies that are conceptually sound and operationally effective. For a list of accredited agencies in New York, check the link - https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/ops/accred/accredited-agencies.htm 

The council also recognized Captain Anthony Leclaire, Program Manager, for his efforts throughout the assessment review and managing the accreditation program.

(Photo - from left to right DCJS Commissioner Rossana Rosado, Washington County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Todd Lemery, Chief Gregory Austin, Chairman of the Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Council and Captain Anthony LeClaire)