The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) Bureau of Law Enforcement earned its third accreditation from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC) March 7. The commission, a panel of police chiefs, sheriffs and other law enforcement executives from across the state, voted unanimously to renew the authority’s accreditation award.
The accreditation program, administered through the state’s Department of Criminal Justice Services, requires a thorough inspection and review of agency policies, procedures, processes and operations as defined by 191 stringent standards every four years. Four performance areas including administration, operations, personnel and training are carefully evaluated against established criteria by an independent panel of certified assessors.
To receive the designation first awarded to Virginia ABC in 2015, enforcement agencies must demonstrate sustained practice and performance over each consecutive four-year period.
Tom Kirby, Virginia ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement chief and interim CEO, said the reaccreditation affirms the authority’s focus on prioritizing public safety and fairness through accountability, service, integrity and performance excellence for a stronger and safer commonwealth.
“The reaccreditation process has increased the effectiveness of our policy development, the efficiency of our delivery of services and ensures that we continue to provide top-tier training. Virginia ABC and its Bureau of Law Enforcement are committed to maintaining this high level of professionalism and responsibility,” said Kirby.
An assessment team comprised of independent law enforcement professionals from across Virginia reviewed records detailing the Bureau of Law Enforcement’s continued adherence to the commission’s stringent standards during the previous four-year accreditation cycle. Included in documents submitted for the assessment were incident reports and photos, quarterly audits of evidence and cash handled at each of the authority’s regional enforcement offices and other reports to ensure policy and practice compliance in all areas.
Virginia ABC accreditation manager David Huff was also recently awarded his VLEPSC assessor certification, enabling him to help evaluate other law enforcement agencies as part of the accreditation program.
“Reaffirming this designation underscores Virginia ABC’s continuing commitment to securing a professional law enforcement organization that holds its agents, management and staff to a higher standard,” said Kirby.
Currently 107 Virginia law enforcement agencies are accredited by VLEPSC, which was founded in 1994 and is overseen by an executive board comprised of Virginia police chiefs and sheriffs who are appointed by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association.
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NOTE: A downloadable photo of ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement with the Certificate of Accreditation is available in ABC’s media library:
https://www.abc.virginia.gov/about/media-room/image-library. Photo caption: Pictured in photo (from left) Marc Haalman, ABC Special Agent in Charge of Compliance; Tom Kirby, ABC Chief Law Enforcement Officer and interim CEO; David Huff, ABC Senior Special Agent of Training; Ryan Porter, ABC Deputy Chief Administration of Law Enforcement; Donnie Brown, ABC Deputy Chief of Field Administration
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) is a major source of revenue for the commonwealth, contributing more than $2.9 billion to the general fund in the last five years. Virginia ABC currently operates 401 state stores and provides alcohol education and prevention programs for people of all ages. Its Bureau of Law Enforcement oversees approximately 21,000 ABC licensed establishments. Now marking its 89th year, ABC remains committed to progress and innovation in carrying out its vision of bringing good spirits and excellent service to Virginia.
Web: www.abc.virginia.gov
Facebook and Twitter: @VirginiaABC
