10/07/2026
This is great!
Media Release
“For Immediate Release”
October 5, 2026
Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office Successfully Achieves Reaccreditation Through Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission
Warrenton, Virginia – The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce its successful reaccreditation by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC), reaffirming the agency’s commitment to professional excellence, accountability, best practices and the highest standards of law enforcement service.
VLEPSC accreditation is a rigorous process designed to ensure Virginia law enforcement agencies maintain established professional standards in areas including agency administration, operations, personnel, training, policies and procedures and accountability. The reaccreditation process provides an independent assessment of an agency’s policies and practices and requires agencies to demonstrate continued compliance with established standards.
For the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office, the reaccreditation represents more than successfully completing an assessment. It reflects the daily commitment of the agency’s employees to conduct themselves professionally, follow established policies and procedures, continually improve operations and provide the citizens of Fauquier County with effective and accountable law enforcement services. Sheriff Jeremy Falls said the accomplishment is a reflection of the entire organization.
"Reaccreditation by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission is a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to the professionalism, dedication, and commitment to excellence demonstrated every day by the men and women of the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office. Accreditation is not simply about meeting a set of standards; it is about holding ourselves accountable to the highest expectations and continually looking for ways to improve the service we provide to our community. I could not be more proud of our team and the hard work they put into achieving this recognition. Our commitment to doing things the right way, every day, is what makes the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office such a professional and respected organization."
A Commitment to Continuous Improvement
The reaccreditation comes during a period of significant investment and advancement within the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office.
Over the same period, the agency has continued to strengthen its operational capabilities, training resources, employee wellness initiatives, technology and equipment. These efforts are part of the Sheriff’s Office’s broader commitment to ensuring its personnel have the tools, training and resources necessary to effectively serve the community.
Among the significant accomplishments are:
• Modernized fi****ms training facility – designed to enhance the training and preparedness of our deputies.
• Employee fitness initiative – a new fitness facility has been established for Sheriff’s Office personnel.
• Body-worn cameras and updated in-car camera systems – systems that enhance transparency, accountability, evidence collection and overall safety.
• Advancements in technology – continuing to implement and expand technology designed to improve its ability to prevent and investigate crime, identify criminal activity and better protect the community.
These investments complement the agency’s ongoing emphasis on training, professional development, employee wellness, community engagement and operational accountability.
Chief Mike Kochis, Chairman of the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission, observed that,
"Sheriff Falls is running a first-class operation. Reaccreditation shows the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office meets professional standards every day, not just on assessment day. He's kept the agency ahead of a constantly changing law enforcement landscape. Bringing body-worn cameras across the finish line is a great example of that forward-thinking leadership. On behalf of the Commission, congratulations to the Sheriff and his entire team."
In the final report and overall assessment, lead assessor Jacob Siddons wrote that, “The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office, under the leadership and direction of Sheriff Falls, exemplifies competent, professional and modern law enforcement. The agency is committed to its citizens, businesses and visitors to ensure their safety and security.”
Maintaining the Standard
The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office recognizes that accreditation is not a designation that an agency achieves once and then sets aside. Maintaining accreditation requires an ongoing commitment to compliance, documentation, training, review, accountability and continuous improvement.
The standards established through VLEPSC provide an important framework for ensuring that law enforcement agencies operate consistently with recognized professional practices. The process also gives agencies an opportunity to examine their own operations, identify areas for improvement and ensure that policies and practices continue to meet the needs of the communities they serve.
Sheriff Falls emphasized that the accomplishment belongs to the entire Sheriff’s Office. “Every member of this organization plays a role in maintaining the standards that make accreditation possible,” Falls said. “From our deputies and dispatchers to our professional staff, supervisors and command staff; this is a team accomplishment. The work that happens every day, often without recognition, is what allows us to meet these standards and continue moving this organization forward.”
The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to providing professional, effective, transparent and accountable law enforcement services while continually seeking opportunities to improve the organization and better serve the citizens of Fauquier County.
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AUTHORITY: Sheriff Jeremy A. Falls
CONTACT: Jeffrey Long
78 West Lee Street, Warrenton, VA 20186
[email protected]
540-422-8727
