WCSO 2021 Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 29
CALEA
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement
Agencies (CALEA) awards accreditation to public safety
organizations that comply with rigorous national
standards for increasing transparency and public
confidence. Since 2004, CALEA has recognized us for
our commitment to upholding the highest policing
standards. CALEA has also honored us with the
Meritorious Award for more than 15 years of continuous
compliance.
PURSUIT OF
EXCELLENCE
CONTINUED
WCSO Latino Advisory Commission
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Latino Advisory
Commission (LAC) is a community-led advisory group
comprised predominantly of community members.
The LAC meets monthly to discuss and review Sheriff’s
Office policies and programs to understand the agency’s
role better and work together for agency improvement
and community benefit. The LAC also includes two
students representing for youth/student community
perspectives. The Latino population is the largest ethnic
group residing in Washington County. They continue
to be disproportionately overrepresented in policing
enforcement, incarceration rates, and referrals to the
juvenile justice system. Establishing an ongoing dialog
and partnership with members of the Latino community
is an essential step in meeting the public safety needs
of the entire community and improving equity in service
delivery.
Established in 2020, the LAC addresses these issues and
strives to build trust between the Sheriff’s Office and the
Latino community. This commission welcomes Latino
voices and perspectives. By engaging with the challenges
facing the Latino population and Black, Indigenous, and
other People of Color, the Sheriff’s Office is learning to
serve with cultural awareness and respect for differing
community perspectives and feelings of safety. Being
part of the discussion and working through an equitable
lens is vital to represent and assist the communities we
serve more effectively.
REFERENCES
• CALEA: https://calea.org/
• OSSA: https://oregonsheriffs.org/
• The American National Standards Institute:
https://www.ansi.org/
• National Accreditation Board:
https://anab.ansi.org/en/forensic-accreditation
• Polis Solutions:
https://www.polis-solutions.net/
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