Sarasota agency wins rare accreditation

SARASOTA — Sarasota County's Office of Inspector General recently became the fourth in Florida to win accreditation with a state law enforcement commission.

The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement accredited the county's Office of Inspector General based on full compliance with 40 standards. These included efficiency, employee self-assessments and elimination of fraud and waste.

Sarasota County's Office of Inspector General assists the county commission and county manager with investigations to safeguard public assets and resources. The office is part of the Sarasota Clerk of Circuit Court and County Comptroller.

The other counties in Florida that have earned the accreditation are Palm Beach, Pinellas and Polk counties. “The Inspector General's staff was described as professional, well-trained and an enthusiastic unit that has embraced the culture of the accreditation process,” according to a statement from the Sarasota Clerk of Court.