GALLIA COUNTY, Ohio — According to a public statement made available through the Sheriff’s Office Facebook, The Gallia County Sheriff’s Office has officially achieved accreditation through the Ohio Collaborative Certification Program (OCLEAP), becoming one of only 30 law enforcement agencies statewide to earn the distinction.
OCLEAP, established in March 2024 by Governor Mike DeWine through executive order, is a voluntary, cost-free program recognizing professional excellence, accountability, and transparency in Ohio law enforcement agencies. Participating agencies must demonstrate compliance with 31 professional standards covering critical operational areas.
Those standards include:
• Professional conduct
• Bias-free policing
• Use-of-force policies
• Crisis intervention
• Community engagement
• Hiring, recruitment, and screening
• Records and evidence management
• Agency wellness and career development
According to the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, the accreditation reflects adherence to modern law enforcement best practices and is designed to strengthen public trust and confidence.
On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the agency was formally presented to the Certification Program Board and nominated for accreditation by Ed Burkhammer, Ohio Department of Public Safety Director of Law Enforcement Services.
Sheriff Matt Champlin released a statement following the announcement:
“We are proud to report that the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office has achieved accreditation through the Ohio Collaborative Certification Program. This accomplishment represents a significant milestone of excellence for our agency, and we are honored to be among only 30 accredited agencies across the State of Ohio — and the first in southeast Ohio to receive this distinction.
I firmly believe this is an achievement that the entire Gallia County community can take pride in. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed their time and effort to help us prepare for and accomplish this goal.”
Sheriff Champlin specifically recognized Chief Deputy Chris Gruber, who served as Accreditation Manager; Evidence Technician Carrie Curry; and OCLEAP Program Manager Charity Detty-Wingo for their contributions throughout the process.
