GENESEO, N.Y., Nov. 6, 2023 – The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office was recently recognized for its continued excellence in communications after earning reaccreditation through the New York State Sheriff’s Association Public Safety Answering Point Accreditation Program.
The New York State Sheriff's Association Accreditation program assists departments throughout the state in maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and improves operations, increases morale, reduces incidences of liability, reduces insurance costs and presents a professional image to the community.
“Being an accredited agency is a ton of work to attain and maintain, but our team always rises to the challenge,” stated Livingston County Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty. “On behalf of our entire team, I thank the County Administrator and Board of Supervisors for their continued financial and moral support. Also, a big shout out to Director Amanda Schultz, who leads the Communications Bureau, Dispatcher Heather Gross, who led this round of the reaccreditation process, as well as all of the Communications Bureau members who enlist the best practices of being accredited.”
The PSAP Division Accreditation Manual details 38 standards that a county must meet or exceed in order to earn accreditation. Standards cover all aspects of 911 division operations including administration, training, technology, operations, emergency response plan, uniform standards of procedure, public relations and office operations standards.
“The Communications Bureau at the Sheriff's Office has maintained this elite status for many years,” said Schultz. “I’m proud of our team and what it has accomplished and look forward to continuing to provide the residents of Livingston County with the exceptional service they’ve come to expect.”
Recognized in 2003, the Livingston County Sheriff’s Communications Bureau was the first public safety answering point in the state to achieve accreditation and continues to serve as an example for other counties to model. Its most recent reaccreditation term is for five years, after which, the Bureau will be re-assessed.
The Communications Bureau is made up of 15 full-time and two part-time Telecommunicators, two Senior Civilian Dispatchers and one Technology Specialist. Telecommunicators are responsible for handling all incoming calls and requests for assistance along with dispatching the appropriate police, fire or EMS unit in an efficient, organized and professional manner.
For more information about the Communications Bureau, please visit the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office’s website.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.