CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango County Sheriff’s Department is well on its way to becoming the fourth New York State agency accredited across the board with all its departments possibly qualifying. Only 17 percent of law enforcement agencies in the state meet the strict standards required to earn the recognition. “This is absolutely not a rubber stamp process. These are some of the highest standards, not just in the state but throughout the world for law enforcement,” said Chenango County Sheriff Thomas Loughren.

An independent review team will be brought in by the state to review the policy and procedures of the sheriff’s deputies, 911 dispatch center, correctional facility and civil department. “We’ll make it. We will be ready,” said Loughren.

The sheriff said the $24.5 million correctional facility has become a model for engineers designing new jails. “The design is sound and security is tight,” he said. All areas that will be put under inspection have received overhauls to their policies making them as best as possible, said the Sheriff. He admitted the toughest challenge would be for the civil department which handles the monetary services such as getting people to pay restitutions, because of its high liability. Another obstacle is the recent relocation of the emergency dispatch center which is still sorting itself out after the move. Loughren said he remains completely confident they will be approved.