By 1808Delaware
Mike DeWine has announced the latest group of law enforcement agencies to achieve accreditation under the state’s new Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, and the list includes the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.
The recognition places Delaware County among a growing but still limited group of agencies statewide that have voluntarily met nearly three dozen standards covering professional conduct, bias-free policing, crisis intervention, and community engagement.
What Accreditation Means
Governor DeWine framed the designation as more than an internal milestone.
“Attaining accreditation through this program is a prestigious achievement,” he said. “Those living in communities served by an accredited department can be confident that their local law enforcement agency demonstrates exceptional professionalism and meets Ohio’s high expectations for excellence in public safety services.”
The Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program was launched in 2024 to recognize agencies that meet or exceed clearly defined statewide benchmarks. Unlike many accreditation systems around the country, Ohio’s is state-administered and does not charge agencies to participate, lowering barriers for smaller departments that might otherwise find national accreditation cost-prohibitive.
How the Program Works
The accreditation effort builds on the earlier Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Certification Program, which has certified more than 600 agencies on required standards related to use of force, recruitment, hiring, and screening practices. All certification standards are mandatory prerequisites for accreditation. Beyond that baseline, agencies must demonstrate compliance with additional standards that examine policies, training, supervisory structures, and community engagement practices.
Nicole Dehner, Executive Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety Office of Criminal Justice Services, emphasized the broader goal.
“The recent accreditations through the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program reflect a strong commitment to professionalism, bias-free policing, crisis intervention, and community engagement,” Dehner said. “Now with 24 accredited agencies, we’re advancing our mission to strengthen community relationships and support best practices statewide.”
The process is guided by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board, created in 2015 to strengthen law enforcement’s relationship with the public. The board works in coordination with state public safety officials and consults with law enforcement leadership organizations across Ohio.
A Growing Statewide List
With the most recent announcements, 24 agencies have fully achieved accreditation, and several more are in various stages of review. The newest additions include township police departments, county sheriff’s offices, and a university police department, reflecting participation across different types and sizes of agencies. For Delaware County, the accreditation signals that its sheriff’s office has aligned its policies and practices with the state’s most comprehensive voluntary standards.
Accreditation does not eliminate challenges or guarantee flawless performance. What it does provide is an external benchmark, a documented framework for accountability, and a public signal that an agency has chosen to go beyond minimum statutory requirements.
