The Sterling process examines the results of how business is conducted. Governor Charlie Crist states, "The Governor’s Sterling Award is designed specifically to recognize organizations in Florida who have achieved the status of role models for performance excellence."

The following elements of the agency were considered for the award:
DNA Screening Lab: In 2007 the Marion County Sheriff's Office established a partnership with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to create a DNA screening laboratory staffed with personnel whose training would meet FDLE’s standards. In partnership with FDLE, the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) and the Department of Justice, the Marion County Sheriff's Office was selected to do a pilot project – creating a Level 3 DNA screening laboratory. The Sheriff’s Office made an agreement with FDLE to establish guidelines for the process, which would allow items collected from crime scenes to be screened for samples used in DNA testing. The pre-screened samples would then move directly into DNA analysis at one of the FDLE laboratories.

In January 2007, while construction of a laboratory was started at the Sheriff’s Office headquarters, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office hired three DNA screening technicians and they began their initial two week training at the NFSTC with FDLE on February 5, 2007. Next, the technicians spent four weeks conducting supervised casework on crimes committed in Marion County at the FDLE laboratory in Jacksonville. As the partnership agreement outlined, the DNA screeners were trained by FDLE and obtained their certification. Their training encompassed the same training, testing, report-writing and report styles as FDLE screeners, which ensures consistency between FDLE and Marion County Sheriff's Office laboratory personnel. The DNA screeners are also required to meet the same educational requirements as FDLE screeners.

Marion County Sheriff's Office has been able to significantly reduce DNA turnaround time with certified Level 3 screeners, averaging six days for screening. DNA profiling at the FDLE lab also has been reduced on Marion County samples to 83 days. Besides reducing turn around time, having FDLE-trained DNA screeners at the Sheriff’s Office has proved beneficial in other ways. They can provide investigators with critical early information. For example, the presence of blood or semen at a crime scene can provide enough probable cause to make an arrest in a rape case or the sexual abuse of a child.

Critical Incident Specialist (CIS): This program consists of trained mental health professionals able to identify person(s) with mental health illnesses, provide field intervention, assist with finding appropriate placement and follow ups. They also assist deputies with 24 hour on-scene crisis intervention on calls involving substance abuse, rape victims, domestic violence, homeless persons, juveniles and elder affairs. They serve as liaisons to community providers of crisis intervention and human support. In 2007, this program was identified as an outstanding program at the annual Governor’s Sterling Award conference.

Work In Lieu of Arrest (W.I.L.A.): This is a program designed to offer the first time juvenile misdemeanants an alternative to arrest while still providing immediate consequences. To complete, students must work 20 hours spread across five Saturdays at the Sheriff’s Office Inmate Work Farm. This is one-time opportunity that keeps youthful offenders out of the court system and allows them to avoid permanent criminal record. Participation in the program requires the approval of the juvenile’s parent or guardian. This program is conducted through the Youth and Community Services Bureau.