From Staff Reports
In Summary:
The Apopka Police Department earned reaccreditation from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, continuing an accreditation history that began in 2017. The voluntary process evaluates department policies, procedures, and practices against professional standards and requires ongoing documentation of compliance. Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez and Commissioner Sam Ruth congratulated the department, with Ruth also calling for continued openness, communication, and engagement with residents.
*****
The Apopka Police Department has earned state reaccreditation for 2026, continuing a distinction it first achieved nine years ago and marking its first renewal under Police Chief Lovetta Quinn-Henry. Mayor Nick Nesta joined the chief and APD’s accreditation team in Sanibel as the department received the recognition.
Related: A Decade of Progress - McKinley retires from the Apopka Police Department.
The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation lists APD’s latest reaccreditation as Oct. 2, 2026. The department initially earned accreditation on Nov. 1, 2017, in Weston, followed by renewals in 2020 and 2023. This year’s recognition is its third reaccreditation.
Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez praised Quinn-Henry and the department, describing the renewal as evidence of their continued commitment to professional policing. She said she learned of the achievement from the department’s social media announcement.
“Apopka’s reaccreditation shows the continued commitment by our Chief Quinn-Henry and the entire department to the integrity of policing in our city,” Velazquez said. “This reaccreditation also assures our public that the Apopka Police Department is committed to the safety and integrity of policing in our community.”
Photo from the Apopka Police Department Facebook page.
Commissioner Sam Ruth also congratulated the department, crediting its officers, professional staff, and accreditation team. In his statement, Ruth connected the recognition to the ongoing work required to maintain professional standards.
“Maintaining accreditation requires sustained attention to policies, training, and daily practices,” Ruth said. “Your team deserves recognition for that commitment.”
What accreditation means
For residents, accreditation provides an outside assessment of how a police department operates. Florida’s voluntary program evaluates agencies against professional standards covering their policies, procedures and practices, with the goal of improving public safety services and accountability.
The review reaches into responsibilities that affect both officers and the people they serve. Florida’s accreditation framework addresses vehicle pursuits, use of force, traffic stops, citizen complaints, evidence collection and preservation, recruitment, officer training and disciplinary procedures, among other areas.
Under the commission’s full-compliance program, an agency must demonstrate that it meets every applicable mandatory standard and at least 80% of applicable nonmandatory standards. An assessment team reviews the agency’s policies, procedures and practices to determine whether it has demonstrated compliance.
Accreditation lasts three years, after which the agency must undergo reaccreditation. Maintaining the designation requires work between reviews, including annual reports and documentation showing continued compliance from one assessment to the next.
APD’s own accreditation policy reflects that continuing obligation. It calls for a system to ensure required reports, reviews, and other activities are completed, and for department members to understand the accreditation process. The policy also gives the accreditation manager access to personnel and departmental functions needed to carry out that work.
The Florida Accreditation Office identifies Carol McMaster as APD’s accreditation manager. The department’s announcement credited the broader accreditation team, along with sworn officers and professional staff, for the achievement.
Recognition and public trust
In announcing the renewal, APD described it as reaffirming its commitment to professional law enforcement, accountability, and community service. The department also thanked its officers, professional staff and residents for their continued support.
“Having city leadership present during such a meaningful moment underscores the shared commitment to the safety, integrity, and future of Apopka,” the department said in its release. APD thanked Nesta for traveling to the conference to stand alongside Quinn-Henry and the accreditation team.
Ruth echoed that appreciation, saying the mayor’s presence demonstrated support for department employees and the standards they work to uphold. He also urged the city to build on the recognition through greater openness and engagement with residents.
“As a lifelong resident and city commissioner, I want Apopka to move beyond a culture where residents feel disconnected from their government and toward one built on openness, transparency, and trust,” Ruth said. “I appreciate your willingness to help lead that change.”
Ruth said longtime residents and newcomers alike deserve accessible leadership, clear communication and confidence in the institutions serving them. He described the reaccreditation as an opportunity to continue that work.
“By continuing to welcome questions, explain decisions, and engage our residents, we can make Apopka an example of accountable public service,” he said. “Thank you for your leadership and for the work you and the entire department do to keep Apopka safe.”
For Quinn-Henry, the 2026 renewal marks a milestone in her tenure as chief. For APD, it continues a process begun in 2017 — one that requires the department to keep demonstrating how its policies and practices meet professional standards.
Key Points:
- APD earned its third state reaccreditation and its first under Chief Lovetta Quinn-Henry.
- The department initially received accreditation in 2017, followed by renewals in 2020, 2023 and 2026.
- Accreditation evaluates policies and practices involving use of force, training, citizen complaints, evidence handling, and other responsibilities.
- Mayor Nick Nesta attended the recognition in Sanibel alongside Quinn-Henry and the accreditation team.
- Velazquez and Ruth praised the department’s achievement and emphasized accountability and public trust.
Disclosure: The Apopka Voice contacted all five members of the Apopka City Commission for comment.
