Sheriff's Department Honored

Sheriff Stacy Nicholson was on hand at the recent board of commissioners meeting
to receivea plaque commemorating his department earning state accreditation.
Roger Garrison of Cherokee County and the Georgia State Law Enforcement Association
presented the award.
Photo by Al Summers

According to the certifying agency, the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, the certification status “represents a significant professional achievement. Certification acknowledges the implementation of policies and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective.”

Gilmer County becomes only the 12th sheriff’s office in the entire state of Georgia to receive this designation.

Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson accepted the certification award from Cherokee County Sheriff Roger Garrison at a meeting of the Gilmer County commissioners last Thursday evening, March 27.

Garrison told the audience, “When you choose a physician, it is one who has been certified by a governing agency. When you choose a lawyer, it is one who has passed tests and been certified by a governing body. There is no reason to expect any less from a law enforcement agency, and you now have one in this county.”

The Cherokee sheriff said that high liability policies and procedures of the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Department had been reviewed and evaluated during the certification process. Those policies and procedures included the use of deadly force, tasers, and high speed chases. The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office passed with flying colors.

Garrison awarded Nicholson the plaque signifying the certification before a number of employees of the county sheriff ’s department. The Cherokee County sheriff also presented a plaque to Gilmer County Sheriff ’s Lt. Frank Copeland who coordinated the certification process for the sheriff’s department.

In his words of acceptance, Nicholson addressed the commissioners and thanked them for adequately funding the sheriff ’s department so the officers could do their jobs, and then he thanked those who worked for the sheriff’s department for their hard work in achieving the certified status.

In an interview with the Times-Courier, Nicholson said, “This is a great honor. Our people have worked really hard to achieve this. The sheriff went on to say, “With this certification we have reinforced that our practices are consistent with progressive professional standards, and it gives our employees a better understanding of our department’s policies and procedures. It also helps the department administrators to more effectively do their jobs and assists the department in running smoothly.

“With all of that said and in place, the department should have a reduced potential for liability and greater support from the county government and the citizens in our community,” said Nicholson. “This is GilmerCountySheriff’s Office is officially certified something of which the whole community can be proud.”

The Law Enforcement Certification Program in the state of Georgia was created in 1996 through a joint collaboration of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Georgia Police Accreditation Coalition. The standards set forth in the program “provide a detailed blueprint for professional enforcement.

They are credible, realistic, flexible, and effective.”

“The standards incorporate contemporary professional thought and practices in the State, and will insure the goal of increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of Georgia law enforcement agencies.”

Nicholson concluded, “I am proud of everyone in our department for pulling together to achieve this status. I am especially proud of Lt. Copeland for being the manager for us during the review process. Our citizens and taxpayers should feel assured when they call for assistance from the sheriff ’s department, they will get trained and professional response. The $400 we paid for the certification process will pay off huge dividends in the future of the sheriff ’s department and ultimately to the citizens.”

The department will be reassessed in a few years. As a result of the certified status, the sheriff ’s vehicles will display a special sticker announcing the designation.