Augusta County sheriff candidate Neil Kester issued a statement Wednesday raising concerns about a recent decision by the current administration of the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office to withdraw from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission’s accreditation program.
“I don’t know the facts, so I can’t or won’t comment on the exact reason(s) why the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office withdrew from the accreditation process.
“As a citizen of the county and having worked at a nationally accredited department, I have a strong concern with this decision.
“At a time when law enforcement agencies across this nation are being closely scrutinized by the media and citizens regarding certain law enforcement practices; stepping away from this accreditation process that instills police professionalism doesn’t make sense to me.
“Being an accredited agency instills pride in those who worked hard to achieve it; and lets the community it serves know that a group of independent law enforcement professionals (Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission) have found that the agency is in compliance with a set of approved, professional standards set by the state accreditation program.
“Even if an accredited agency realizes they are having a problem or problems complying with one or more standards, the commission has resources available to help the agency address the issue(s) and return to a compliance status.
“Wouldn’t you expect your public safety agency be accredited? Based on the above decision to withdraw from the accreditation, I, Neil Kester as your sheriff, will have the appropriate people in place as of January 1, 2016 to begin the reaccreditation process for the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office. Once we reestablish our state accredited status, I will pursue the national accredited status.”
For more information visit www.kesterforsheriff.com
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