The Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office is seeking accreditation for its road patrol and custody divisions.
An accreditation assessment for the road patrol division by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has been scheduled for the summer of 2025. Speaking with Finger Lakes News Radio Sheriff Brian Schenck said that the division must meet 111 standards to receive accreditation; to accomplish this, his office has spent years updating procedures and operations such as evidence storage and deputy training.
“It’s really a compliment to your agency that you’re meeting or exceeding expectations of quality and performing in a professional manner with the standards set by the state… I really want to make sure that the public has an agency they can be proud of.”
Area sheriff’s offices with accreditation through the DCJS include those in Onondaga, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates Counties. Additionally, the Auburn Police Department received accreditation in 2023.
While the DCJS doesn’t offer accreditation for jails, the custody division is seeking accreditation through the New York State Sheriff Association’s Corrections Accreditation Program.
Sheriff Schenck added that, much like the road patrol division, the custody division will need to meet 166 standards, including fiscal management, use of force, records retention, public relations, and healthcare standards.
Sheriff Schenck said the divisions’ accreditations would serve as a testament to the hard work the men and women under his command do every day.
“I’m really proud of the men and women that work for our sheriff’s office. You can’t achieve accreditation or maintain these standards without dedicated men and women who are working hard to fulfill your mission every single day and we have those staff members here.”
The sheriff anticipates the custody division will receive accreditation by year’s end while the road patrol division will most likely receive accreditation by early fall 2025.
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