OKEECHOBEE — A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (C.F.A.) will arrive on Nov. 14, 2023, to examine all aspects of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office’s (O.C.S.O.) policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services. The O.C.S.O. must comply with numerous standards to receive accredited status.

Many standards are critical to life, health, safety issues, and best practices.

As part of the assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team.

For more information regarding C.FA or for persons wishing to offer written comments about the O.C.S.O.’s ability to meet the standards of accreditation, please send correspondence to: C.F.A., P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, Florida, 32302, or email to

For more information regarding C.F.A. or for persons wishing to offer written comments about the O.C.S.O.’s ability to meet the standards of accreditation, please send correspondence to: C.F.A., P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, Florida, 32302, or email to

flaccreditation@fdle.state.fl.us

The accreditation program manager for the O.C.S.O. is Mr. Jeffrey Owens.

 Owens said the assessment team is composed of assessors from similar agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and other areas where compliance can be observed.

Once the commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report to the full Commission, determining if the agency is to receive accredited status.

O.C.S.O.’s accreditation is valid for three years.

Verification by the team that the O.C.S.O. meets the Commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain and maintain accreditation--a highly prized recognition of professional excellence, Sheriff Noel E. Stephen said.