The Florence Police Department earned its Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police accreditation, a voluntary credential that requires agencies to meet more than 150 standards covering policy, procedure and legal compliance.

Chief Jeff Mallery accepted the certificate at the KACP's annual conference in Lexington on Aug. 25, according to the City of Florence. The city said it is proud of the department and thankful for officers' dedication.

The credential is not required under Kentucky law. Departments that pursue it must complete a self-assessment, demonstrate compliance with the program's standards and pass an on-site inspection by a KACP assessment team. Once accredited, an agency must be re-evaluated every four years to maintain the credential.

The program is not easy to clear. It measures whether a department meets commonly accepted benchmarks for efficient and effective law enforcement operations. Neighboring Kenton County Police Department also received its accreditation at the same Lexington conference, citing 177 standards it was evaluated against.

Florence City Council prepared for the accreditation in May, when it unanimously approved updates to police department rules and regulations to align with Kentucky law and maintain accreditation standards, according to Link NKY.

Mallery was appointed chief in 2024 by Mayor Julie M. Aubuchon, replacing Tom Grau, who retired May 1 of that year.

According to the KACP, accreditation is designed to create confidence among residents that their police department recognizes the importance of maintaining a high degree of professionalism. Residents who want to learn more about the program can visit kacp.org.