Florence Police Department Undergoes Accreditation Review – Public Invited to Comment

Florence, AZ – The Florence Police Department is undergoing a formal on-site assessment as part of its voluntary effort to earn accreditation through the Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ALEAP). A team of assessors will arrive on June 24, 2025, to evaluate the department’s policies, procedures, management, operations, and support services

The Florence Police Department has participated in ALEAP since July 2021 and has been a proud member of the program, which promotes professional excellence in policing through adherence to statewide best practices.

“Verification by the assessment team that we meet ALEAP’s best practice standards is an important part of our commitment to excellence,” said Chief Matthew Thomas. “This accreditation is a highly valued recognition of professional achievement in law enforcement.”

Public Feedback Encouraged

 As part of the accreditation process, employees and community members are invited to submit comments to the assessment team regarding the Florence Police Department’s compliance with ALEAP standards by Tuesday, June 24.

Feedback can be submitted directly through ALEAP’s website: https://azleap.org/community-feedback/

Comments should focus on the agency’s ability to meet the Commission’s standards for accreditation. To learn more about these standards, visit: https://azleap.org/about-aleap/.

For questions or additional information, please contact Accreditation Director Stacy Olson at stacyolson@azchiefsofpolice.org.

What Accreditation Means

 To earn accreditation, the Florence Police Department must meet 174 rigorous standards. According to Chief Thomas, “Accreditation strengthens agency accountability, reduces risk and liability, improves community trust, and enhances operational effectiveness.”

ALEAP Director Stacy Olson noted that the assessment team is composed of professionals from peer Arizona law enforcement agencies. The team will review departmental documents, conduct interviews, and inspect various facilities to verify compliance. Their findings will be submitted to the Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, which will determine whether to grant accredited status.

Accreditation is valid for four years, during which the agency must submit annual reports showing ongoing compliance.

The Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP) serves as the accrediting authority for ALEAP. To learn more about AACOP, visit www.azchiefsofpolice.org.