EPHRATA - The Grant County Sheriff's Office received accreditation from the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs (WASPC) at an award ceremony on May 21.

The ceremony acknowledged successful completion of the professional standards as outlined by the WASPC Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.

"This is a huge accomplishment," Sheriff Tom Jones said. "Accreditation is not just a symbol of industry best practice but a means of further professionalizing the organization by establishing and maintaining additional standards and measures of performance that improve our operational efficiency."

Accreditation started in 1976 when the Washington State Legislature directed the WASPC to develop standards and goals for Washington State Law Enforcement. The current accreditation program was developed in 2007.

Benefits of accreditation include, but are not limited to:

• To intensify administration and operational effectiveness.
• Increase public confidence in the law enforcement agency.
• Increase credibility.
• Systemize self-assessment.
• To provide state and local recognition of professional competence.

"This was years in the making and an all-hands effort from GCSO personnel," Jones said. "It speaks to the commitment we all have to improving our own standards of performance as well as our commitment to Grant County residents."