Sheriff Youth Academy Graduates 61 Cadets

On July 31, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department held a graduation ceremony for 61 new sheriff cadets. The sheriff's office partnered with Cumberland Neighborhood Watch, Inc. to implement the new program that targeted young people from 11-17 years of age.

It wasn’t about a camp for troubled youth but a program designed to give insight to youth on the everyday functions of law enforcement and the justice system.

The curriculum covered a sheriff’s office structure, how to be a good witness, interviews, witness statements,911 calls, criminal statistics, history of law enforcement, officer survival, traffic enforcement, patrol procedures, weapon safety, criminal investigations, crime scene processing, narcotics, K-9 units, gangs, bullying, computer safety, sexting, social media, driving and texting, juvenile crime, corrections, dispatching, mock trial and overview of the criminal justice system.

Participants who graduated from the academy have the opportunity to join Sheriff’s Youth Cadet Program, which will meet regularly to receive additional training and be involved in community functions with the sheriff’s department.

The two-week program was held at the Cumberland County Justice Center and had several instructors from the Sheriff’s Department, including Sheriff Casey Cox, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Central Communications, the District Attorney’s Office and Criminal Court Judge Gary McKenzie. The young men and women had the opportunity to interact with professionals of the criminal justice system on a daily basis.

To remain in the program cadets must maintain the following criteria:

1. Be mature

2. Listen well

3. Main a good character and reputation

4. Be in good standing with parents, guardians and school staff

5. Maintain a minimum of a “C” average in school

6. Not be involved with any issues in juvenile court

The purpose of the program is to encourage desirable character traits, ethical conduct, sound morals, patriotism and respect for law and order so that the cadet’s exemplary behavior might be emulated by their peers.

The cadet program will also occupy the spare time of young people by providing worthwhile objectives to pursue including community related service.

The program was sponsored by Cumberland Neighborhood Watch, Inc., Jeff and Tracy Slayton, Casey Cox, First Bank, Little Caesar’s, First National, Domino’s, Bank of Crossville, Gondola, Highland Federal, Comfort Keepers, Attorney Ivy Gardner, Kroger, United Grocery Outlet, IGA, Papa John’s, K-mart, Aviagen, Dollar General Market, Pizza Hut, Whittenburg Glass, Flowers Bakery, Gary and Melissa Howard and Debbie Houston.

Volunteers from throughout the community assisted in making the Sheriff’s Youth Academy a memorable experience for our young friends. The Sheriff’s Youth Academy will be an annual event, so plan to attend next year. For more information, please send an email toghoward@ccsheriffs.org.