This position is responsible for managing and coordinating all aspects of the Department’s state (CFA) and national (CALEA) accreditation programs to ensure ongoing compliance with established standards. The role maintains and updates agency policies and accreditation records, monitors reporting requirements, and supports continuous improvement of departmental operations. Working under the direction of the Commanding Officer of the Support Services Division, this position organizes accreditation activities, conducts compliance inspections, and facilitates cross-divisional communication to meet critical deadlines. The incumbent regularly handles sensitive and confidential information, contributes to policy development, and supports training and departmental initiatives. This mission-critical role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to ensure the agency remains in compliance with all accreditation requirements.
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.
- Maintains agency policy manual and historical record of amended policies.
- Maintains report files for re-accreditation and sends out organized monthly reminders to each division of reports due under the authority of the Commanding Officer of the Support Services Division (OIC/OPS).
- Maintains all files as required by the Accreditation authorities under the supervision of the OIC/OPS.
- Inputs information in the computer as necessary to maintain current policies and/or procedures.
- Conducts briefings with the OIC/OPS.
- Receives direction from OIC/OPS and acts accordingly.
- Carries out any other tasks the OIC/OPS requests, not necessarily outlined in these duties.
- Arranges to meet all deadlines by prioritizing and organizing ways to meet those deadlines.
- Maintains awareness of conditions or situations that inhibit the agency's efficient operation and makes recommendations for solutions.
- Utilizes the Power DMS software program to enter and track accreditation activities.
- Requires access and repeated exposure to confidential/security information, including federal and state security databases and the Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS).
- Performs other safety-security job functions.
- Inspects facilities and secure areas for compliance with accreditation standards, along with reviewing and verifying proofs of audits and inventory of department-issued equipment, drugs, money, or evidence, etc.
- Requires regular access to secure locations and confidential persons in the Police Department, including secure areas for weapons/firearms vaults, drugs, money, evidence, etc.
- May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
- May be required to work overtime or alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
- Position is designated as Mission Critical.
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
- Assists the OIC/OPS with collecting and filing proofs of compliance for required CALEA and CFA standards.
- Assists as directed by the OIC/OPS, in writing policies and/or procedures from input supplied by the senior staff, ensuring such policies and/or procedures are written in compliance with CALEA and CFA standards.
- Maintains all files as required by the Accreditation authorities, under the supervision of the OIC/OPS.
- Assists the OIC/OPS by preparing directives for the ten-day turnarounds, Senior Staff review/summary, and final review/Chief of Police's signature to be sent out under the OIC/OPS authority.
- Maintains a current and accurate policy manual in hardcopy and electronic format.
- Assists in the publishing of Directives as directed by the OIC/OPS.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
- Two years of experience in the law enforcement field or managing accreditation processes/programs.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
- Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
- Must pass a background check and complete Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) training before accessing confidential/security files.
- May be required to pass an elevated background check provided by the City of Lakeland Police Department upon hire.
KNOWLEDGE- Total accreditation process and ability to learn and use the CJIS system effectively to access and verify information.
- City and departmental policies, rules, and regulations.
- Principles, practices, and equipment used in police work, including administrative investigations.
- Federal, state, and local laws or ordinances, rules of evidence, laws regarding search and seizure, and laws regarding administrative/personnel procedures.
SKILLS- Intermediate computer skills; ability to utilize Microsoft Office products, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook; ability to use Adobe Pro.
ABILITIES- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the general public.
- Communicate effectively via email or telephone.
- Communicate with the general public and department members, including providing guidance, giving technical direction, and explaining or interpreting policy.
- Speak publicly on various topics related to the accreditation process.
- Foster cooperation between department personnel and create an acceptable attitude among all members/appointees.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS- Working in highly secure locations in the Police Department with potential exposure to highly confidential evidence, documents, reports, files, and persons.
- Sedentary work with some walking or standing, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard use.
- Requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, taste, smell, depth perception, and texture perception.
Required Documents
1. Copy of DD214 – Military Discharge (if applicable).
Applicants for the position of Police – Accreditation Manager are required to submit a copy of ALL required documents with the employment application. Applicants will not be eligible for employment until ALL required documents have been submitted to CIVIL SERVICE or uploaded with the application. Documents will not be accepted after the posted deadline.
Elements of the selection process
Our system allows you to work on your application and save the application without submitting it. This is done to allow you to save your work and come back to finish the application without having to start over. Your application is not considered “complete” until it is thoroughly filled out, without missing information, and ALL required documents are received by Civil Service. If you submit your application and do not “complete” it before 4 p.m. on the posted close date (listed on the job opportunities page), your application will be rejected from the system and you will have to start the application process over. The application WILL NOT be accepted or reviewed until it is “complete”.
After submission of the completed application, the application will be reviewed for minimum qualifications. Candidates’ applications accepted based on minimum qualifications will be reviewed for desirable job related knowledge, skills, and abilities. The most desirable candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview.
If selected to move to the next phase, the applicant will attend an interview conducted by a panel. The panel will consist of a minimum of three police department members.
If selected to move forward, you will be invited to complete a biographical interview, conducted by a member of the G.S.S. staff. The biographical interview will consist of a full comprehensive review of the application submitted to confirm accuracy of the information provided. Applicants that are selected to continue in the process will be given information and instructions for the submission of a Personal History Questionnaire, which will be required to move forward in the process.
A thorough background Investigation will be completed on all candidates prior to employment.
Those applicants that are selected for employment will be given a conditional offer of employment. The job offer is contingent upon the successful completion and approval of a Truth Verification Examination (i.e. polygraph or computer voice stress analysis), drug screen testing and completed background investigation.
The applicant will receive written notice either by mail or electronic mail at each phase of the selection process advising them that they were selected to move forward in the process or that they were not selected. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the e-mail address provided on the application is correct and to provide any updated information to Civil Service during the application process.
Once a decision has been reached to offer the applicant employment OR that the applicant will not be offered employment, applicants will be notified within 30 days. The intent of the Lakeland Police Department’s Personnel Services Section is that the selection process, from the date of application until the applicant is advised of a decision regarding employment, will not extend beyond 180 days.
When the applicant is selected for employment and all elements of the selection process have been passed, the applicant will begin the in-house training and familiarization of the positional duties. The employee will be on probationary status until their one year probationary period is successfully completed.
Reapplication
Reapplication and re-evaluation of applicants not hired is permitted after six months as long as nothing in the application history indicates an unfitness for employment. Conditions that qualify as unfitness for employment include revelations of unacceptable drug use, criminal records, or other factors discovered during the selection process.
Background Investigation
A background investigation of each candidate for all positions is conducted prior to appointment to probationary status. The background investigation may include, but is not limited to:
a. verification of qualifying credentials
b. a review of any criminal record
c. a review of applicants driving record
d. fingerprint check
e. warrants check
f. records check
g. verification of at least three personal references
h. a review of prior employment/military history
i. a review of applicants employment and academy files
j. review of social site/internet information
Be advised that sensitive or confidential aspects of the applicant's personal lives may be explored.
The City of Lakeland is a drug free workplace. This position is considered a mandatory testing position, which is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing. As a condition of employment you will be required to pass the pre-employment drug test in accordance with Florida Statute 440.102.
THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE.
