The Board of Officers is comprised of four elected APCO active members and the Executive Director, who is a non voting member. The Executive Director manages the headquarters staff and operations. The components of an accreditation program include professionals, who act with discretion, in the public trust, to standards set by experts in the field. An independent process is designed to implement the standards, verify compliance and award recognition. With the communications accreditation program, telecommunicators with special knowledge and experience established voluntary standards before other, often less qualified groups, seek to do so.
Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence.
Accredited agencies can take pride in their department, knowing it represents the very best in public safety communications. Compliance Size and Costs Agency size determines both the what standards are applicable and the program participation fees. Agencies that seek accreditation are required to comply only with those standards that are specifically applicable to them. Applicability is based on an agency's size and the functions it performs. If an agency cannot comply with a standard because of legislation, labor agreements, court orders, or case law, waivers can be sought from the Commission.