OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) has achieved a significant milestone in its pursuit of excellence. Following a thorough review of over 230 Law Enforcement Accreditation Standards by the Commission of Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA), the agency has received a recommendation for accreditation.

A team of three certified Law Enforcement assessors conducted the assessment, representing various regions of the state. Their comprehensive evaluation found OCSO to be in full compliance with all standards set by the CFA. The final report will be reviewed at the upcoming Accreditation Conference in June 2024.

Notably, the assessors praised OCSO for exceeding expectations in several critical areas, including training, evidence collection and retention, and traffic operations. They also highlighted the exceptional level of knowledge and dedication displayed by agency personnel, as well as the strong sense of camaraderie and support within the organization.

Sheriff Stephen expressed his gratitude to the entire OCSO team for their unwavering commitment to excellence throughout the accreditation process. He also extended his appreciation to the accreditation team for their diligent efforts and expertise in guiding the agency.

While the recommendation for accreditation marks a significant achievement, the final step awaits OCSO at the CFA Board of Directors’ June conference. Sheriff Stephen expressed confidence in the agency’s ability to successfully achieve full accreditation, emphasizing the professionalism and dedication of every team member.