Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Receives 2024 WASPC Accreditation for Highest Professional Standards of Training

Last week, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office was recognized at the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) Fall Conference for successfully completing the WASPC 2024 Accreditation Program.   

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has completed the rigorous accreditation program for 2024. This certification demonstrates that the office is adhering to the best practices and standards for law enforcement in Washington State. Administered by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC), the program involves a seven-phase process that spans several months.

“I am extremely proud of the professionalism and dedication our Sheriff’s Office Deputies and staff continuously demonstrate while serving the Citizens of Spokane County,” said Sheriff John Nowels.  “Receiving accreditation from WASPC confirms that the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has achieved the highest professional standards in policing.”    

Accreditation benefits include administrative and operational effectiveness, fair recruitment and employment practices, better records management, improved use of technology, health and safety, training, codes of conduct, and prisoner security, among other important law enforcement tasks.

“Police accountability is important to ensure and improve public trust,” said Steven Strachan, WASPC executive director.  “The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office took these direct and tangible steps to earn the public’s confidence in their operations.  The community should be proud of the men and women who serve them every day.”   

The WASPC certification is given for a period of four years, after which the re-accreditation process will commence again.  

 The Washington Legislature originally called for the development of standards and goals for law enforcement in 1976.  

WASPC was founded in 1963 and represents executive and top management personnel from law enforcement agencies statewide. With more than 900 members, it includes the 39 elected county sheriffs and 240 police chiefs, as well as the Washington State Patrol, the Washington Department of Corrections, and representatives of several federal agencies.       

Pictured from left to right: 

Sheriff John Nowels

Aubrey Siino, Regional Training & Multi-Agency Accreditation Manager 

Steven Barbieri, Deputy Director of Training

Anthony Anderman, Director of Training

This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Receives 2024 WASPC Accreditation for Highest Professional Standards" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7