McHenry Co. sheriff's office works for national recognition

By late March, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office will know if it passed one of its most rigorous tests yet.

The office, for the first time in its history, has applied for a national law enforcement accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, or CALEA.

A commission team will visit the department this weekend to examine the department's policies, procedures, management, operations and support services.

As part of the bottom-to-top review, the public is invited to make comments beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the sheriff's office training room in the county government center, 2200 Seminary Ave., Woodstock.

Those who can't make it may chime in at (815) 334-4298 between 2 and 4 p.m. Dec. 13 or write to CALEA at 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, Va., 20155.

Comments must be about the department's ability to meet accreditation standards.

Aimee Knop, a McHenry County Sheriff's deputy and department spokeswoman, said accreditation can help the department land lower liability insurance premiums. It could also help department when it comes time to apply for state and federal grants.

“Obviously, it's a prestige in law enforcement to be accredited,” Knop said.

The final decision will be announced at the commission's conference March 23-26 in Maryland. If the department earns accreditation status, it will be the third agency in the county behind departments in Huntley and the city of McHenry.

Kudos in Kane

Three Kane County prosecutors recently were honored for their work.

First Assistant State's Attorney Jody Gleason was one of a group selected by the U.S. Department of Justice to receive the Executive Office for United States Attorneys Director's Award in the category of “Superior Performance of a Litigative Team.”

Gleason worked with the U.S. attorney's office in the federal prosecution in 2005 of 16 members of an Aurora street gang, of whom eight members received life sentences.

Assistant State's Attorney Kelly Orland was recognized by the Illinois Metropolitan Enforcement Group Directors and Task Commanders Association for Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Enforcement.

In 2009 and 2010, Orland worked with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the North Central Narcotics Task Force to charge 10 people with marijuana trafficking. The investigation also resulted in the seizure of more than a ton of marijuana and nearly $500,000.

Assistant State's Attorney Jamie Mosser was honored by Community Crisis Center of Elgin, a domestic violence shelter, with its Partners in Peace Award.

“Their leadership, their ability and willingness to work effectively with other agencies to improve our communities and their commitment to public service are assets to his office and to Kane County,” Kane County State's Attorney Joseph McMahon said.