New York State Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Peter Kehoe congratulated Rockland County Sheriff’s department officials for achieving accreditation of all three divisions.
On Wednesday, the corrections division earned accreditation, following the civil and police divisions, which earned their accreditations in 2010 and 2008 respectively.
Corrections Chief William Clark noted Rockland is one of just three counties in the state to have all three divisions of its sheriff’s department accredited. The corrections division had to meet 166 standards set by the association. A task force comprised of Lt. Joseph McDonald and Corrections Officers Keith Price and Erica Bauer oversaw the two-year process.
Clark thanked Sheriff James Kralik for his guidance and leadership.
“Second is his inspiration to get accredited which sets a standard of professionalism that we attained and can be most proud of,” said Clark.
Kehoe said Rockland is one of 24 counties out of 62 in the state that has its jail and corrections division accredited. The accreditation gets reassessed after five years.
“To get accreditation, the agency has to show that it meets high standards, best practices established by experts in the field,” said Kehoe.
Joining Kehoe in congratulating Clark on the achievement was Kralik, Civil Enforcement Division Chief Mary Barbera, Police Division Chief Louis Falco and County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef.
Falco noted accreditation benefits the county by helping with its insurance rating and deterring lawsuits.
“It also helps us against frivolous lawsuits that are filed against the departments because we meet stringent standards in all of the divisions,” said Falco.
