Accreditation
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office joined the Oregon Accreditation Alliance in March 2002 and received the initial accreditation in June 2004. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office became only the 2nd sheriff’s office in the state of Oregon to receive the Oregon Accreditation Alliance certification. Recertification was achieved in 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022 with a 100% compliance. Re-accreditation is awarded every three years.
In 2013, Chief Ed Boyd (ret.), Executive Director for the Oregon Accreditation Alliance said, “I rank the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office above the top 1% of law enforcement agencies”. Chief Boyd also stated that it was apparent to him that the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office employees take the professional standards seriously and noted that many employees proudly display the accreditation pin on their uniform.
The Oregon Accreditation Alliance was formed in April 2001. It was created under the direction and authority of the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association, and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials. The Oregon Accreditation Alliance establishes professional standards of accountability, management and operations for Patrol and Investigative Services across the state. It exists to improve the quality of law enforcement agencies in Oregon and ultimately, the quality of services provided to the citizens of the state. Accreditation gives agencies independent confirmation that their policies and practices comply with a higher level of professional standards.
To earn and maintain accreditation, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office must voluntarily establish professional standards of accountability, management, and operations. Independent evaluations by the Professional Standards Committee are required to achieve and maintain certification. This achievement cannot be maintained without the full support of every employee on a daily basis being vigilant in providing the highest standard of service to all that come in contact with their agency.
The Oregon Accreditation Alliance is governed by the Professional Standards Committee (PSC). The committee is composed of representatives from the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association, and the Oregon Chapter of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials.
