Agencies the accreditation process with an application. Once the application is completed and submitted to the Commission for review to determine eligibility, an agreement and invoice are sent to the applicant agency. The formal accreditation process begins when the agency executes this agreement, which specifies the obligations of the agency and the Commission. The agency has twenty-four months to complete the self-assessment phase from the date the executive director signs the accreditation agreement. REACCREDITATION Initial accreditation is valid for three years and annual reports are due January 31st of each year. The accreditation manager should continue to evaluate the agency’s progress toward meeting accreditation standards by monitoring changes to the written directive system and how they affect agency compliance. Proofs for a reaccreditation are required to show compliance from assessment to assessment. The Commission review for reaccreditation will occur on or about the agency’s anniversary date. THE STANDARDS Scope The Commission expects accredited agencies to maintain compliance and live by the letter and spirit of the standards. The Commission presumes agencies operate in compliance with their written directives. The agency must consider its mission, its legally mandated responsibilities, and the demands of its service community when determining which standards are applicable and how to comply with applicable standards. The standards provide a description of “what” must be accomplished by the applicant agency. The agency has wide latitude in determining “how” to achieve compliance. Composition Each chapter begins with an “Introduction”, which provides important guidance to an agency regarding the subject area, its applicability, or related standards. Each standard is composed of the standard statement and at least one proof of compliance. The standard statement is a declarative sentence that places a requirement on the agency. Many standards require the development and implementation of directives. Other standards require an activity, a report, an inspection, equipment, or other action that may be observed. The standard statement is binding on the agency.
A written directive requires documented timely notification to appropriate law enforcement officials when there are reasonable grounds to believe a criminal violation has occurred. Bullets Proofs of Compliance Written directive addressing elements of the standard. (Qty Initial: 1) (Qty Reaccred: 1) Documentation of notification. (Qty Initial: 3) (Qty Reaccred: 1 each year) Required References Assessor Guidelines Accreditation Manager Notes GLOSSARY ACCREDITATION Granting of credentials symbolizing approval from a professional organization upon practitioners or specific institutions. Complying with specific accepted standards established for an investigative function of an Office of Inspector General. AGENCY As used in this standards’ manual, agency refers to the investigative function of an Office of Inspector General. AGENCY HEAD The Governor, a Cabinet officer, a secretary, an executive director, commissioner, chair or board of directors and duly elected local official (i.e. Board of County Commissioners, City Mayor, Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, etc.) ANNUAL An event occurring once every 12 months. APPLICANT AGENCY An agency that has applied to the Commission for state accredited status. The examination of records and activities to ensure compliance with established controls, policies, laws and regulations and