Waukegan, IL – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is scheduled for an on-site re-assessment as part of an accreditation program to maintain accountability by verifying recognized professional standards and law enforcement best practices. Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP) assessors will be at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office on November 9, 2022 – November 11, 2022, conducting the assessment.

The Sheriff’s Office will be judged on 67 ILEAP standards regarding administration, operations, personnel, and training. The office maintains its policies and procedures to meet the standards set by ILEAP. The policies and procedures must reflect the standards established by ILEAP and the files developed must show the agency is following those policies and procedures.  

Accreditation demonstrates the agency has achieved a level of professionalism among our law enforcement peers and validates the methods in which our members provide service to the residents and public in our community. In addition to improving our relationship with the community, accreditation improves accountability while limiting liability and risk exposure.  

Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “I look forward to inviting the ILEAP assessors to re-evaluate our operations, policies, and procedures.  We strive to be leaders in law-enforcement, and accreditation re-assessments certainly help us achieve our goals.”  

Three ILEAP assessors, Chief of Police John Lawson of the Harper College Police Department, Deputy Chief Holly Nearing (retired) of the Champaign Police Department, and Lieutenant Darryl Harlan of the College of Lake County Police Department, will conduct the on-site re-assessment of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Agency personnel, elected officials, and members of the community are invited to offer comments during a public information call in session on November 10, 2022, from 3:30-4:30 pm at 847-377-7136. Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to meet and maintain the ILEAP standards. Information on the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program can be found at http://www.ilchiefs.org/ileap-illinois-law-enforcement-accreditation-program-

The public may also submit written comments about the Lake County Sheriff’s Office ability to remain compliant with the accreditation standards to:

Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program

426 S 5th Street

Springfield, IL 62701

Or via email to: [email protected]