Pretrial Services Professional Certification

To date, 26 pretrial practitioners from four agencies throughout the State of Florida have completed Level One Certification. One noteworthy approach was the entire staff from Alachua County, taking the examination as a team, and everyone who took the exam passing. During the months leading to the examination, all of the Alachua County Pretrial Services, staff, supervisors and the program manager took the opportunity to form a study group to brainstorm questions and prepare for the exam. Our outcome was phenomenal, as were all extremely proud of achieving this accomplishment together.  We are took this also approach with everyone else in our department who subsequently, planned to take the examination January 2008.

CPSP Certification consists of various levels with increasing education, training, and job requirements. Persons obtaining Level One Certification demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the pretrial movement and the history upon which pretrial justice is based. This is the only nationally recognized pretrial certification program of its kind in the Unites States.

The examination included general legal methodology, court issues and practices specific to the pretrial area of Criminal Justice. The Certified Pretrial Services Professional Certification is a three tiered program which provides individuals with the opportunity to attain and be certified at varying levels of expertise that is recognized by the National Association of Pretrial Service Agencies. The certification program increases credibility; promotes leadership; and provides opportunity to attain a higher level of expertise in our field. Alachua and Volusia counties as with many other Florida jurisdictions are hoping to continue to blaze trails and be pioneers within the Florida pretrial justice system even with our many challenges.   Sustaining this credential in conjunction with accreditation will provide pretrial practitioners in Florida an opportunity to be recognized as achieving a measure of professional advancement among our peers as well as in the pretrial professional community.  

Submitted by: Gerie R. Crawford, CPSP

 Alachua County Pretrial Services Manager                                                                              

 APPF Statewide Coordinator