CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Albemarle County Police reported a sixth reaccreditation from the state after what it described as a “year-long effort to comprehensively modernize its policies and overhaul its Evidence and Property Unit”.

“Which is a lot of regulations that are put forth by the state on how you’re managing those,” said ACPD Deputy Chief, Major Randy Jamerson on Wednesday’s WINA Morning News.

The Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC) grants the accreditations.

ACPD said in a release this recent accreditation marks “a significant milestone in the department’s continued commitment to professionalism, accountability, and community-focused policing”.

“By being accredited shows our community that we are operating to the best of our abilities, and we’re committed to serving our community in the most excellent way possible,” Major Jamerson said.

Major Jamerson said, “Accreditation is a voluntary process that law enforcement agencies can elect to undergo to enhance their quality of service.”

VLEPSC assessors conducted an on-site review to evaluate the department’s compliance with 193 professional standards covering operations, administration, personnel practices, training, and public safety services.

The results of that assessment and accreditation certification was formally presented to Colonel Sean Reeves, Chief of Police, during the December meeting of the VLEPSC Commissioners.

Major Jamerson was particularly pleased community-focused policing is recognized.

“It shows the community that we’re here for them, we’re here to protect them, we’re here to police them the way they want to be policed, and we’re doing it in a professional way,” Jamerson said.

“We have high standards for our staff, and we expect officers to be professional and treat people with dignity and respect.”

Law enforcement agencies must be reviewed every four years for reaccreditation.

ACPD was first accredited in 2000 and achieved reaccreditation in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 before entering the self-assessment phase in 2024 and will undergo its next accreditation inspection in 2029.