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Office of Inspector General Investigations Section Working to Receive Statewide Re-Accreditation

By Florida Department of Health, Office of Communications

May 30, 2014

DOH'S OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL INVESTIGATIONS SECTION WORKING TO RECEIVE STATEWIDE RE-ACCREDITATION
~Accreditation Team invites public comments~

TALLAHASSEE—A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (Commission) will conduct an on-site assessment at the Florida Department of Health (DOH) Office of Inspector General (OIG) in Tallahassee on July 8th of this year. The OIG received initial accreditation status on September 29, 2011. The 2014 assessment is the final stage of an ongoing effort for the OIG to achieve re-accreditation and will examine all aspects of the OIG's Investigations Section, including looking at policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services.

Verification by the assessment team that the OIG continues to meet the Commission's standards is part of a voluntary process to raise the bar for the office to meet the highest professional standards. Receiving re-accreditation is a highly respected recognition by the Commission, which also evaluates law enforcement and corrections agencies, to ensure the public that the OIG is meeting or exceeding the statewide standards.

The OIG must comply with approximately 40 standards in order to be accredited by the Commission. All of the applicable standards are mandatory, such as requiring that investigative staff abide by a code of ethics, establish and follow procedures for the release of information to the public in accordance with Florida Statutes and members, including the Inspector General or designee, adhere to strict guidelines when conducting internal investigations of agency employees.

The assessors will thoroughly review written materials (including policies, directives, final reports, etc.), interview individuals and may visit DOH offices and other places where compliance can be witnessed.

Once the Commission's assessors complete their review of the OIG, they will report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the OIG is to be re-accredited. The DOH OIG's re-accreditation, if approved, will be for a three-year term.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team. A copy of the standards is available through the Commission's website and the public is encouraged to give public comment. Citizens looking to provide public comment can do so in the following manner by either making public comments through the Commission's accreditation website at http://www.flaccreditation.org/IG%20Web/Standards_IG.htm or by writing to the CFA as described below.

For more information regarding CFA accreditation or for persons wishing to offer written comments about the OIG's ability to meet the standards of accreditation, write to: CFA, Attention: Program Manager Billy Walls, P.O. Box 1489 ~; Tallahassee, FL 32302

DOH's OIG reviews complaints and conducts independent and impartial investigations in order to maintain the integrity, credibility and public trust as the Department carries out its core mission to protect and promote the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. For more information about the duties and responsibilities of the OIG, please visit its website at www.floridahealth.gov/public-health-in-your-life/administrative-functions/inspector-general/index.html.

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