File Photo
|
|
|
Editor’s Note: This is the first of a series of stories about the Sheriff’s Citizens’ Academy at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. The academy is for citizens interested in learning more about the Sheriff’s Office. It is free and lasts 16 weeks. For more information, contact Deputy Greg Dotson at 615-904-3033.
More than 160 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2010 and more than 115 officers lost their lives this year, a Rutherford County Sheriff’s sergeant said.
“That’s staggering to me,” said Sgt. Jon Frazier, who is assigned to training new deputies and training deputies.
Frazier told Sheriff’s Citizens’ Academy students he takes his responsibility seriously.
Some 25 citizens, including 11 potential reserve deputies, are taking the free 16-week academy to learn more about the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.
“It’s on our backs to train these people and train them properly,” Frazier said, later adding, “Our biggest objective for a law enforcement officer is to go home (safely).”
Some 240 certified deputies serve 262,000 citizens living in 625 square miles of Rutherford County.
About eight to 12 deputies work each shift in 11 zones of the county.
Other deputies work in the Interstate Crime Enforcement, Active Crime Enforcement, Court Security, Criminal and Civil Warrants and Transport divisions.
Sheriff Robert F. Arnold prefers noncertified rookie officers and officers with less than three years of experience to work in detention at least one year before applying to the patrol division.
While in detention, supervisors may observe a candidate’s work habits to determine if the candidate should be promoted as a certified deputy.
The Sheriff’s Office has an extensive training program for 16 weeks where a field training officer spends shifts daily with the rookie to monitor progress.
Deputies will spend 10 weeks in classes at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy in Donelson. Frazier estimates it takes about three years to fully train a deputy.
Starting salary is about $31,000.
The Sheriff’s Office spends about $2,500 for the academy, $4,600 for uniforms and equipment, and about $32,000 for a patrol cruiser.
Training Capt. Steve Spence said deputies answer calls and handle traffic violations.
“Traffic stops are the most vulnerable situations,” Spence said. “There’s no foolproof way to do traffic because each situation is different.”
During traffic stops, deputies try to establish control with the driver without being harsh. Deputies ask the driver to put his or her hands on the steering wheel for safety and tell the driver the reason for the stop.
Drivers who have a firearm in the vehicle should tell the deputy immediately and stay inside the vehicle, Spence said.
After instructing the students on safe traffic stops, Spence gave the students air soft handguns to use in simulated events.
Spence and Deputy Greg Dotson, who is coordinating the academy, posed as drivers and passengers.
In one scenario, Spence fired a round at Reserve Officer candidate Brian Gonzales before he reacted.
Gonzales poked fun at himself.
“Will somebody notify my next-of-kin please?” Gonzales asked. |
Email
Print
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Google
Yahoo!