ODT’s Criminal Investigations Division Earns Award of Excellence

Award Recognizes Elite Law Enforcement Agencies

For Immediate Release

COLUMBUS, Ohio – August 5, 2014 – A streak of excellence achieved by the Ohio Department of Taxation’s (ODT) Criminal Investigations Division not only continues, it’s getting even better.

For the fifth straight time, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) has recognized the division as an elite law enforcement organization, and this time also issuing its “Accreditation with Excellence Award.”

CALEA is an independent accredit­ing authority established in 1979 by four major law enforcement membership associations: Interna­tional Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs’ Association and Police Executive Research Forum.

CALEA accreditation is considered the international gold standard for recognition of public safety professionalism. The current three-year accreditation period for the Criminal Investigations Division became effective July 27.

The division has 28 sworn police officers and three civilian staff members, and enforces the criminal provisions of Ohio’s tax laws. It is the only state tax law enforce­ment agency in the nation to have achieved CALEA accreditation, doing so first in 2002.

“I am extremely proud that our Criminal Investigations Division has been recognized for its exceptional professionalism and continued commitment to excellence,” said Ohio Tax Commissioner Joe Testa. “The division has worked very hard to maintain its well-earned reputation among its peers as an elite law enforcement organization.”

The CALEA accreditation process begins with a rigorous internal review of policies, practices and processes against internationally-accepted public safety standards. This is followed by an on-site visit and evaluation by independent assessors with significant public safety experience. They solicit public feedback and interview selected ODT staff and others regarding the division’s effectiveness and overall service delivery capacities. The decision to accredit is rendered by a governing body of 21 commissioners following a public hearing and review of all reporting documentation.

CALEA created the “Accreditation with Excellence Award” for agencies that have met or exceeded a number of additional criteria beyond those necessary for accreditation.

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