Champaign County Sheriff Earns State Accreditation
The Champaign County Sheriff's Office is one of 36 Ohio law enforcement agencies to receive accreditation under a new state program.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The Champaign County Sheriff's Office has earned Ohio Law Enforcement Accreditation, one of 36 agencies statewide to do so. The recognition was announced at the quarterly meeting of the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board alongside Erie County Sheriff's Office and Springboro Police Department.
Why it matters
The accreditation reflects agencies voluntarily meeting or exceeding state standards for professional conduct and community engagement. It signals the program's growing reach across Ohio's law enforcement agencies.
The Champaign County Sheriff's Office is among 36 Ohio agencies now recognized under the program, which requires meeting or exceeding nearly three dozen state standards. The source does not specify how many agencies remain in the accreditation process.
The players
Champaign County Sheriff's Office
The county law enforcement agency led by Sheriff Chad M. Burroughs, which became the first Champaign County sheriff's office to earn this accreditation.
Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board
The state advisory body whose quarterly meeting hosted the accreditation announcement.
Governor Mike DeWine
The Ohio governor who created the state's collaborative law enforcement accreditation program in 2024.
The details
Accreditation is voluntary and covers standards in professional conduct, bias-free policing, crisis intervention, and community engagement. The process includes a detailed review of an agency's policies and practices, and participation is free for Ohio agencies.
Timeline
2024: Governor Mike DeWine created the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.
Less than two years before the announcement: Sheriff Chad M. Burroughs took office and prioritized professionalism standards.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Accreditation announced at the quarterly advisory board meeting.
Legal Context
The Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, created by Governor Mike DeWine in 2024, is the only state-administered accreditation of its kind in the country that charges agencies no participation fee. Champaign County's recognition is part of the program's early implementation as 36 agencies now hold accreditation.
Residents of Champaign County can point to a state-recognized review of their sheriff's office policies and practices. The accreditation process evaluates how agencies handle bias-free policing, crisis intervention, and community engagement.
The takeaway
Agencies seeking to demonstrate professionalism can review the published standards the program requires. Residents interested in their local agency's performance can ask whether it participates in the accreditation process.
Further reading
For related coverage of police oversight across the state, see Law Enforcement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Peak of Ohio.
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