The New Mexico Association of Counties recognition of the Valencia County Sheriff's Office three-year Reaccreditation. A certificate was given out during the Legislative Conference held in Santa Fe, New Mexico January 16-18, 2018. In the picture, (center) is Louis Burkhard, Valencia County Sheriff with County Manager Danny Monette (third from left).Santa Fe, New Mexico – The New Mexico Law Enforcement Professional Standards Council (LEPSC) awarded a three-year Certificate of Reaccreditation to Valencia County Sheriff's Office on January 18, 2018 during the New Mexico Association of Counties (NMAC) 2018 Legislative Conference in Santa Fe, NM. The Certificate of Accreditation is awarded to those sheriffs' offices which meet or exceed best practice standards in law enforcement, as developed and approved by the LEPSC. The standards were developed for the New Mexico law enforcement community that have been reviewed by the Professional Standards Council.

NMAC Executive Director Steve Kopelman said, "The Law Enforcement Professional Standards Council has developed uncompromising, yet attainable, professional standards for sheriffs' offices in New Mexico. This is the second three-year accreditation for Valencia County Sheriff's Office and they should be commended for this accomplishment." As a joint initiative of NMAC and the New Mexico Municipal League, LEPSC's mission is to enhance the professionalism, uniformity and consistency in the operation of police and sheriff offices in New Mexico.

Founded in 1936 and incorporated in 1968, the New Mexico Association of Counties is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization governed by New Mexico county elected officials and employees. Its mission is to serve as a statewide voice for all counties in New Mexico. It accomplishes this by providing counties with legislative representation, general research, and training and assistance in developing and improving the administration and financing of county government. NMAC also operates self-insurance pools on behalf of member counties, covering workers' compensation, law enforcement, and property and casualty coverage. Please contact Program Manager Scott Chambers at 575.760.6666 or scott.chambers401@yahoo.com for more information and visit the NMAC website at www.nmcounties.org.