ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- It is a department of 20 people who patrol 3.5 square miles of Clay County.
"We are a small department, but effective," said Orange Park Police Chief Gary Goble.
And while they watch more than 8,500 homes, no one is watching over them. The Orange Park Police Department lost its accreditation with the state in 2008. "You have to have people who are constantly involved in that process," said Goble.
Police Chief Gary Goble is over the force. He says right now 16 officers patrol the streets. One is a detective. But no one is collecting the paperwork the state needs to see and Goble says there won't be until they can fill two vacancies in the department.
"Everything is covered, use of force, pursuits, how you operate, how you keep your records," Goble said.
The Town Council is looking into where it can get $120,000 to pay for those officers. But some homeowners say the department is doing just fine.
"I think the people of Orange Park should watch over them, not the state," said Mike Daugherty.
"The leadership here is doing what they are supposed to be doing," said Michael Knapp.
"It's an outside agency that is holding you to the standard that you say you are meeting. And people like to see that. They know then you are following the rules," said Goble.
Goble hopes the Orange Park Police Department can be reaccredited in two years.
Orange Park isn't the only police department not accredited in Clay County. The Green Cove Springs Police Department isn't accredited either.
