Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood views a recent accreditation as a testament to his office’s level of service and commitment to residents.
“I came out of two hospital systems that were accredited through the joint commission and achieved magnet status, so when I started here in the coroner's office back in 2016, accreditation was the goal,” Harwood said Thursday during a news conference acknowledging the accreditation from the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners.
Harwood said it demonstrates the Peoria County Coroner's Office meets national standards with its investigations and examinations, and reassures community members of their professionalism in handling deaths.
“We might say, ‘We provide evidence-based death investigations and forensic examinations.’ Now we can prove it,” Harwood said. “And our community should just say, ‘Wow,’ to be honest.
“When we come out to their house or to a roadway or wherever we're at with our investigations, they can understand that what we say we're going to do, we're going to do. It's literally justice for their loved one who's passed away. It seals the deal.”
Chief Deputy Coroner Ben Brewer said the accreditation process took around five years, adding that it would not have been possible before construction of the new Health and Human Services facility on Sheridan Road.
“A lot of it was prep work, groundwork to get to where we are, because you can implement best practices for a homicide, but then you actually have to do it,” said Brewer. “But without the new building, we were kind of at a standstill. So we really picked up momentum last July to push us across the finish line.”
Harwood used the accreditation announcement was an opportunity to commend his staff for their efforts.
“They're the backbone of this organization; without them, there is no me. Each one of them, in their own way, provides unwavering dedication and hard work and commitment to serving the residents of Peoria County,” said Harwood, noting their service extends throughout the Tri-County region.
“Our staff, no matter where you come from, very, very diligently handles those death investigations," he said. "Their work that they do every day, and I know this because I go out there with them, demands precision, resilience, and integrity every single day.”
For his part, Brewer credited Harwood’s guidance and compassion in his role for the office’s achievement.
“It has nothing to with the certificate we have from the accrediting body, but rather his leadership,” said Brewer. “He’s the accreditation for our office, and I’m proud to serve as chief deputy.”
