Durham County Sheriff
Home MenuNews
Durham and Orange County’s Newest Sheriff’s
Deputies Ready to Serve the Community
Post Date:10/03/2012
| NEWS RELEASE Contact: Dep. Paul Sherwin
Public Information Officer Desk: 919-560-0871 Cell: 919-886-5516 pmsherwin@durhamsheriff.org DURHAM AND ORANGE COUNTY’S NEWEST SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES READY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY Durham, N.C., Aug. 23, 2012—The newest generation of local sheriff’s deputies are set to finish 18 weeks of law enforcement training in a little more than a month on October 5. The 17 recruit deputies that comprise the Durham County Sheriff’s Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy Class 34 began their journey May 29. They have endured long hours in the classroom, intense training, and rigorous physical fitness sessions all as part of their transition from a civilian to a law enforcement officer. “We strive to make training realistic, applicable and practical,” Sgt. Eric Carpenter said. Carpenter is assigned to the Durham County Sheriff’s Training Division and is the academy director. “Today’s law enforcement officers face many challenges that previous generations didn’t necessarily encounter. My goal is to train these new deputies as best as possible in a controlled environment for the real-life challenges they will soon face on the street.” In an effort to combine resources and standardize training, the Durham County Sheriff’s Office has played host to many neighboring law enforcement agencies for several years—training officers from Duke Police, NCCU Police, and Granville and Person county sheriff’s offices to name a few. Academy 34 is no different, as the 17-member class consists of five recruits from Orange County Sheriff’s Office and 12 recruits from Durham County Sheriff’s Office. “We started running our own training academies in the 1980s during Sheriff Roland Leary's tenure. I, along with others, instructed in those academies,” Sheriff Mike Andrews said. “The tradition continued under the direction of Sheriff Worth Hill for 17 years. We have some very good men and women who instruct in our academies, and I know that the cadets receive quality instruction as a result. We are also pleased to have several cadets from the Orange County Sheriff's Office in this class, and we appreciate the confidence of Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass to allow his personnel to attend our academies.” The majority of the 18-week curriculum is mandated by the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Training and Standards office. Recruits receive training in report writing, courtroom testimony, criminal investigation, traffic enforcement, firearms, arrest techniques, emergency driving and much more. The academy is designed to provide new deputies with a basic and broad understanding of numerous law enforcement tasks that prepares them to begin field training after graduating from the academy. During the 12-week field training phase, recruits ride with an experienced field training officer. The field training officer is responsible for mentoring and assisting the new deputy as they answer calls for service, write reports, make arrests and perform other duties. Upon completion of field training, deputies are assigned to one of many divisions within the sheriff’s office: patrol, court security, animal services, civil or others. “All of the cadets start the academy as individuals, but by the time they complete the academy, there is a bond among them,” Sheriff Andrews said. “They are like family. This academy class has not only learned the aspects of being a law enforcement officer, but also the importance of caring about the community they serve.” Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy 34 consists of the following personnel: Malcolm Hester, 25, is from Cedar Grove, N.C., and previously worked as a firefighter for Chapel Hill Fire Department. He works for Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Wesley Thompson, 24, is from Durham, N.C., and previously worked at COSTCO. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and works for Durham County Sheriff’s Office. David Sebring, 23, is from Durham, N.C., and is a recent graduate of N.C. State University with a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences. He works for Durham County Sheriff’s Office. Steve Foster, 28, is from Chapel Hill, N.C., and previously worked various retail jobs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Appalachian State University. He works for Durham County Sheriff’s Office. Ryan Lloyd, 23, is from Chapel Hill, N.C., and is a recent graduate of Eastern Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He works for Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Anthony Sharp, 24, is from Chapel Hill, N.C., and previously worked for the Durham Police Department. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from North Carolina Central University. He works for Durham County Sheriff’s Office. Alex Aboussleman, 28, is from Durham, N.C., and previously worked as a detention officer in the Durham County Jail. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from State University of New York at Potsdam. Aboussleman works for Durham County Sheriff’s Office. Brandon Smythers, 25, is from Durham, N.C., and previously worked as a fuel storage tank technician. He holds a bachelor’s degree in pastoral theology from West Georgia Baptist University. Smythers works for Durham County Sheriff’s Office. A.J. Davis, 29, is from Durham, N.C., and previously played football for in the NFL for three seasons (2007-2009) with the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texas. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from N.C. State University. Davis works for Durham County Sheriff’s Office. Joe Winecoff, 21, is from Hillsborough, N.C., and previously worked in heating and air conditioning. He attended N.C. State where he played baseball. Winecoff works for Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Tarrell Ross, 24, is from Gastonia, N.C., and previously worked as a detention officer in the Durham County Jail. He holds a degree in criminal justice from North Carolina Central University. Ross works for Durham County Sheriff’s Office. Matthew Scarane, 24, is from Dewitt, MI, and previously worked as a lifeguard. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Ferris State University (Big Rapids, MI). He works for Durham County Sheriff’s Office. Duke Ashley, 21, is from Efland, N.C., and previously worked in farming. He works for Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Michael Centers, 33, is from Roxboro, N.C., and previously worked as a detention officer in the Durham County Jail. He works for Durham County Sheriff’s Office. Robert Wilkinson, 30, is from Raleigh, N.C., and previously worked as a corrections officer for the North Carolina Department of Corrections. He is also a member of the U.S. Marines. Wilkinson holds an associate degree from Durham Technical Community College. He works for the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. Lee Gunn, 50, is from Durham, N.C., and previously worked as a project manager in the construction industry. He is a U.S. Navy veteran and works for the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. Zach Baldwin, 22, is from Hillsborough, N.C., and previously worked in a parachute factory. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Greensboro College and works for Orange County Sheriff’s Office. |
| Durham County Sheriff Office, Judicial Building, 201 East Main Street, 1st Floor, P.O. Box 170 Durham, NC 27701, (919) 560-0897 Equal Employment/Affirmative Action Employer |