According to a press release from the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, the department has received state accreditation through the Office of the Sheriff Accreditation Program, a voluntary initiative developed by the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, officials announced.

The Office of the Sheriff Accreditation Program, known as OSAP, recognizes sheriff’s offices that meet professional standards specific to the constitutional role of the sheriff in Georgia. Fewer than 25 sheriff’s offices statewide have earned the designation.

“Accreditation is about accountability. We voluntarily chose to hold ourselves to the highest standard available because the people of Cobb County deserve to have confidence in how their Sheriff’s Office operates,” Sheriff Craig Owens said in a statement. “OSAP sets a high bar, and by achieving full compliance with all 236 standards, we have validated the systems and training that guide our operations and ensure we can carry out the constitutional duties assigned to the Office of the Sheriff in the State of Georgia.”

Standards and Review Process

The accreditation requires compliance with 236 operational standards covering five key areas: administration, courthouse security, jail operations and management, law enforcement, and sex offender registration.

The standards address responsibilities unique to Georgia sheriffs, including operating county jails, providing courthouse security, executing civil process and managing the sex offender registry. The program evaluates agencies against best-practice standards aligned with the U.S. Constitution, Georgia statutes and applicable case law.

Officials said the process involved extensive internal reviews of policies and procedures. Each standard required individual documentation and submission, making the review detailed and comprehensive. The agency undertook the effort voluntarily to ensure alignment with state law and constitutional duties while streamlining operations.

Timeline and Recognition

The sheriff’s office signed its application in May 2025, received program credentials in June and completed the accreditation process in December. The designation was formally awarded at the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association Winter Conference earlier this year, ahead of schedule.

Officials said the accreditation is intended to strengthen professionalism, reduce liability in sheriff-specific operational areas and enhance transparency for the community.

The OSAP designation adds to other professional accreditations earned under Owens’ leadership, including recognition from the American Correctional Association, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care for medical and mental health services, and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. The sheriff’s office has also earned accreditation under the Prison Rape Elimination Act.

More information about the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association and the Office of the Sheriff Accreditation Program is available at www.georgiasheriffs.org.