Skip to content
Virginia Sheriffs' Institute
Supporting Virginia’s Sheriffs & Deputies

The Triple Crown Award was established by NSA to recognize those sheriff offices that achieve simultaneous accreditation from The Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies; The American Correctional Association’s Commission on Accreditation for Corrections; and, The National Commission on Correctional Healthcare. Achieving these accreditations individually is a daunting task. Earning all three at the same time is an extraordinary feat. In fact, the Triple Crown distinction is so rare, that since the establishment of the award in 1993, fewer than 35 of nearly 3,100 sheriffs’ offices have qualified for the Triple Crown. The Hampton Sheriff’s Office is the newest recipient and will become the 32nd law enforcement agency in the United States to ever receive this award, and only the second in Virginia to achieve such an honor.

On June 23rd, Hampton Sheriff, B.J. Roberts accepted the prestigious “Triple Crown” award at the National Sheriffs Association’s, 2009 Annual Conference held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. “Earning the law enforcement community’s highest honor represents years of hard work and preparation by my staff,” said Sheriff Roberts. “I am humbled by my entire department’s dedication and commitment to achieve law enforcement excellence.” The Triple Crown designation recognizes those departments that demonstrate outstanding commitment to public safety, security, well-being of jail inmates and efficient business practices. 

The road to the Triple Crown came as no easy task. In April, 2007, the Hampton Sheriff’s Office was re-accredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). While maintaining its NCCHC accreditation, the Hampton Sheriff’s Office’s began a process designed to attain international law enforcement recognition and in December of 2008 the assessment from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) began. The assessment involved full compliance of hundreds of standards in Hampton’s Court Services Division. CALEA’s Accreditation Programs’ purpose is to improve the delivery of public safety services. Sheriff Roberts and his staff proudly received their accreditation on March 19, 2009 at CALEA’s Spring Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. On May 18, 2009 auditors for the American Correctional Association (ACA) began their inspection of the Hampton Sheriff’s Office for re-accreditation. The three-day audit proved to be the final leg, making the department eligible for the Triple Crown.

Law enforcement accreditation carries many useful benefits. It represents the department’s acceptance of the obligation to continue the quest for professional excellence and provides stronger defense against lawsuits and citizen complaints. Accreditation boosts morale among employees and staff, and promotes the use of training for employees to do their jobs in the most professional manner possible. Through accreditation, the Sheriff’s Office is able to maintain a balance between protecting the public and providing an environment that safeguards the life, health and safety of staff and inmates.  

Sheriff Roberts and his employees realize the work required for maintaining all three accreditations. It is an on-going process and a challenge that both Sheriff Roberts and his department take seriously and readily accept each day.

100_6949.jpg