Policy Research
When creating or revising policies, you don’t have to start from scratch. The key is knowing where to look. Finding and using reliable, reputable sources not only saves you time but also helps ensure your policies are rooted in best practices and legal soundness.
Remember — policies should always be tailored to your agency, but that doesn’t mean they should be created in a vacuum. Since operations among like-agencies are often similar, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.
Consider the following sources of information when drafting or revising policies:
Start with the accreditation standards themselves. They set the framework for best practices and often provide clear guidance on what a particular policy or procedure requires. Building your policy structure around these standards ensures alignment and consistency.
Many agencies publish policies online and are more than willing to share their department’s stance on a particular issue. Reviewing these can give you a solid foundation to build on.
Model policy organizations, such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), American Jail Association (AJA), and others, provide well-researched, legally reviewed templates you can adapt for your agency.
If you’re a Florida agency, you have two excellent state-level resources available for policy research and collaboration:
FLA-PAC Website – A site for accredited Florida agencies to share policies, seek input, and collaborate on standard interpretations. It’s also a great place to connect with peers and learn how other agencies approach similar challenges.
Florida Sheriffs Risk Management Fund (FSRMF) Content Hub – An invaluable repository of actual policies from other Florida’s sheriff’s offices. It helps agencies align their policies with both accreditation standards and agencies with similar practices.
Together, these two platforms provide an incredible starting point for finding policies that are already working across the state — and for tailoring them to your own agency’s needs.
Laws and Regulations: Always verify that your policy complies with your local, state, and federal laws, as well as applicable case law and court decisions.
Legal Counsel: Consult your agency’s legal advisor or the county or city attorney’s office. They can help you ensure your policy language is defensible and current with legal trends.
Collective Bargaining Agreements, Consent Decrees, and Court Orders: Review these for any binding provisions that must be incorporated into your policy.
Inter-Governmental Agreements and Contracts: These may include operational or procedural requirements, especially for services such as detention, dispatch, or mutual aid.
Your internal subject matter experts can be one of the most valuable — and underutilized — resources when developing or revising policy. These individuals live and breathe their areas of expertise every day and understand how policies translate into practice.
For example:
A Traffic Unit supervisor can ensure your pursuit or crash investigation policies reflect on-the-ground realities.
A Use of Force instructor can help ensure that policy aligns with training practices and current standards.
A Records supervisor, training coordinator, or communications manager can bring operational clarity and identify potential implementation gaps.
Involving SMEs during the policy drafting process ensures your procedures are both practical and enforceable — not just compliant on paper.
Doing your homework before you draft gives you a clear advantage. You’ll start with:
A legal foundation that keeps your agency compliant.
Accreditation alignment to support your assessments.
Examples of best practices that prevent unnecessary work.
And a solid starting point — so you’re not reinventing the wheel every time.
Who do you know that could benefit from these accreditation-friendly tips and resources? Consider sharing this link with a colleague so they can sign up to receive them too:https://www.accreditationacademy.net/signup
Areaka P. Jewell
Accreditation Academy
areaka@accreditationacademy.net
(305) 360-1075