Today, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) Bureau of Law Enforcement earned reaccreditation from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC). 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 190 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 have to demonstrate sustained practice and performance over the consecutive four-year period.
Virginia ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement Chief Tom Kirby said the reaccreditation is a source of pride for the authority and an asset for residents of the commonwealth. “This reaccreditation process has provided an important framework for professional self-inspection,” said Kirby. “It has increased the effectiveness of our policy development, the efficiency of our delivery of services and ensures that we continue to provide proper training. We are committed to maintaining this high level of professionalism and responsibility,” he said.
An assessment team made up of independent law enforcement professionals from across Virginia reviewed the more than 3,000 documents submitted by ABC’s Bureau of Law Enforcement to prove it has adhered to the stringent accreditation standards. The documents included 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.
“Overall, the accreditation process promotes public confidence in law enforcement as a whole,” said Virginia ABC Chief Executive Officer Travis Hill, who oversees the agency’s Bureau of Law Enforcement. “Reaffirming this designation indicates Virginia ABC’s continuing commitment to maintain a professional law enforcement organization that holds its agents, management and staff to a higher standard.”
Approximately 99 Virginia law enforcement agencies are accredited by VLEPSC, which was founded in 1993 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. The program is managed by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services.
###
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-library. Photo caption: (From left) ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement Division Chief Donnie Brown, Senior Agent in Charge of the Reaccreditation Project Michael McKee, Bureau of Law Enforcement Chief Tom Kirby and Division Chief Ryan Porter.
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) is a major source of revenue for the commonwealth, contributing more than $2.2 billion to the general fund in the last five years. Virginia ABC currently operates 387 state stores, and provides alcohol education and prevention programs for people of all ages. Its Bureau of Law Enforcement oversees more than 18,000 ABC licensed establishments. Now marking its 86th 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
