Chapter 7. Now What?
The three-year term, the Accredited Agency logo, annual reports, and maintaining your files.
You have done it — congratulations! Now enjoy these benefits.
Term of Accreditation
The MSLEAC period for accredited status is three years. In the third year, the agency must arrange for an on-site team visit using the same guidelines as the original assessment.
Accredited Agency Logo
MSLEAC staff will provide the Manager with camera-ready copies of the official Accredited Agency seal. This logo may be displayed on agency vehicles, letterhead, web pages or in any other official manner.
Certificate Presentation
Presentations can be held in almost any venue. The Accreditation Manager should contact program staff with the date, time and place of the presentation. The Accreditation Manager should send an invitation to the Commission, staff and assessment team. Some agencies also invite mock team members and other individuals who have assisted them in obtaining the first stage of accreditation.
Annual Reports
MSLEAC requires annual reports on accreditation activities every year. The annual report form is provided to you by program staff. It calls for copies of several quarterly and annual agency reports addressed by particular standards. Program staff should receive these reports within 30 days of your accreditation anniversary date.
Post-Assessment File Maintenance
File maintenance is an ongoing endeavor. The Accreditation Manager should plan on reviewing each file on a regular basis and constantly be watching for proofs of compliance that can be used when MSLEAC sends the re-accreditation team to the agency in three years. The agency should never be without an Accreditation Manager. This will help to insure that all new policies and procedures adopted by the department are in compliance with the applicable MSLEAC standards. This in turn makes re-accreditation much easier.
Final Thoughts
Remember, assistance is available to you from the MSLEAC staff and many other law enforcement agencies throughout the state. That assistance is only a phone call away.
As this accreditation program evolves in Mississippi, the process will be revised and streamlined to better serve your needs. We want you to succeed in your law enforcement agency accreditation endeavors. Please contact the staff with any suggestions you may have on improving the program.
Congratulations. MSLEAC congratulates you for your vision to improve and enhance law enforcement services in your agency, your community, and the State of Mississippi.