Law enforcement experts check out Tulsa County Sheriff's Office

A team of law enforcement experts are in Tulsa to check out the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office. The department will undergo a three-day inspection. The goal is to once again get the stamp of approval

Sunday, April 23rd 2006, 5:06 pm

By: News On 6

A team of law enforcement experts are in Tulsa to check out the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office. The department will undergo a three-day inspection. The goal is to once again get the stamp of approval from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

News on 6 reporter Ashli Sims was there for the first phase of the inspection.

They're some off the newest tools in the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office arsenal, but instead of rolling out to fight crime, they're getting the once over from a team of law enforcement experts.

They're peeking in, asking questions and making notes. All to see if the sheriff's office will once again earn the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies or CALEA.

Tulsa County Undersheriff Brian Edwards: "It just kind of sets the national benchmark for a law enforcement agency. And we pride ourselves on being a professional agency and that's one reason we chose to pursue this several years ago."

The Sheriff's Office first earned its accreditation in 1997. Now they're being inspected for the fourth time. The Tulsa County Sheriffs Office pulled out everything from the Special Operations Team van to the Armored Personnel Carrier. All in all, they'll have to meet more than 400 standards to be reaccredited."

Judy Moffat, CALEA team leader: "they range everywhere from pursuits to holding facilities to administration budget."

Judy Moffat is from Ontario Canada. She's been with CALEA for six years, travelling all over the world, evaluating law enforcement agencies.

Judy Moffat: "well this is just day one and its only the first hour actually the static display was very interesting a lot of unique equipment."

It's a thorough evaluation but the CALEA assessors say it's important for the community.

Judy Moffat: "well first of all its voluntary its not something that's imposed upon them so it's making yourself visible and accountable to your community."

If they pass, Tulsa will know it's sheriff's office is doing things by the book and on par with departments around the world.