Gulfport Police Department To Seek Reaccreditation

GULFPORT, FL — Gulport Police Chief Robert Vincent announced that assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation will be conducting a virtual assessment of the Gulfport Police Department's compliance with peer reviewed standards beginning April 27 and lasting through April 29.

The department received initial accreditation in February 2000 and has maintained an accredited status since.

Assessors will examine all aspects of the Gulfport Police Department's policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. The Gulfport Police Department has to comply with approximately 250 standards to receive accredited status.

As part of the assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team. A copy of the standards manual is available through the police department's community resources division, which can be reached by calling 727-893-1111.

For more information regarding CFA or for those wishing to offer written comments about the Gulfport Police Department's ability to meet the standards of accreditation, write to CFA, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, Florida 32302, or email flaccreditation@fdle.state.fl.us.

The accreditation manager for the Gulfport Police Department is Cmdr. Joshua Stone. The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies.

The assessors will review written materials, conduct virtual interviews with staff and examine other areas where compliance can be witnessed.

Once the commission's assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full commission, which will then determine if the agency is to receive accredited status.

Gulfport Police Department's accreditation is valid for three years. Verification by the team that the Gulfport Police Department meets the commission's standards is part of a voluntary process to gain or maintain accreditation.