Office of Professional Standards
The Office of Professional Standards (OPS) serves as a cornerstone of integrity and accountability within the Acworth Police Department. This office is dedicated to upholding professional excellence by ensuring compliance with departmental policies, state certification standards, and performance expectations.
Mission
The mission of the Office of Professional Standards is to promote transparency, ethical conduct, and operational excellence by overseeing policy compliance, accreditation efforts, performance reviews, and organizational development initiatives.
Leadership and Oversight
The Office of Professional Standards is led by Elizabeth Andrews, chief of staff. As a civilian member of the department’s leadership team, Andrews manages internal systems to ensure compliance with evolving professional standards and to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities:
- State Certification & Accreditation Managing the department’s full certification cycle to meet the standards of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP) and the Georgia Police Accreditation Coalition (GPAC), including policy maintenance, documentation, and external assessments.
- Policy Management Ensuring departmental policies and procedures remain current, legally compliant, and aligned with best practices in policing.
- Organizational Audits & Reviews Coordinating internal audits, including reviews of use of force, pursuits, and other high-liability incidents to ensure accountability and identify areas for improvement.
- Performance & Risk Analysis Compiling performance metrics to support annual reports and strategic goals, while assisting in identifying operational risks and mitigation strategies.
- Internal Coordination Working closely with Command Staff and supervisory personnel to support informed decision-making, professional development, and compliance with departmental expectations.