Banks County residents can be proud to say they are home to one of the top five Sheriff’s Departments in Georgia. At least according to an accreditation process.
The Banks County Sheriff's Office recently completed a lengthy process to become accredited through the Office of Sheriff Accreditation Program (OSAP), making the department one of the first five counties in the state to achieve this recognition through the Georgia Sheriffs' Association.
The accreditation program is a voluntary process and assesses best practice standards to meet the specific duties according to the Georgia Constitution, Georgia Statutes, and Case Law.
The accreditation process involves thorough evaluations and assessments of the department’s policies, procedures, and operations and includes on-site assessments.
"We are proud to have received this accreditation for our agency and our citizens," Banks County Sheriff Carlton Speed said. “The Office of the Sheriff Accreditation Program, established by the Georgia Sheriffs' Association, aims to promote exceptional professionalism and credibility. Through evaluations and a commitment to continuous improvement, this program equips Sheriffs' offices to achieve excellence, building trust in every interaction.”
OSAP is an accreditation program that aims to acknowledge the highest standards of professionalism in the areas specific to the Office of the Sheriff. Accreditation through the program involves meeting multiple standards through five crucial areas:
- Sex Offender Module
- Law Enforcement Module
- Detention Module
- Courthouse Module
- Administration Module
