Professional Development

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Professional Development

At a Glance

Manager Lt. Kenny Sanders

Employees 8
Hours of training 93,000+
Weapons maintained 500+
Deputies qualified (firearms) 400+
Grants applied for 6
Grant money received $205,000+

Professional Development

The Professional Development Department is responsible for training, research and planning, firearms and grants.

The Sheriff's Office has consolidated all training under the department, thus eliminating duplication and assuring uniformity among Bureaus. The Training Unit consists of an administrative lieutenant, two sergeants and three full-time trainers assigned from both Administration and Detention. The support staff consists of an office supervisor and two clerks.

In the past year, Professional Development facilitated the adoption of a secondary sidearm, the development of the Training Center, the formulation of an annual in-service training agenda and the development of a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team.

Responding to the needs of weaker shooters, the training team sought the adoption of a secondary duty weapon. The new weapon, a Smith & Wesson Sigma, requires less grip-strength and accommodates smaller hands. Newly hired cadets go through a series of grip-strength tests to determine which pistol they will carry as a duty weapon.

The Training Center became a reality when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers moved from their office complex at the Red River's Lock & Dam #5. The buildings were renovated into a training center complete with classrooms, dining facilities and an armory. Future plans call for a complete state-of-the-art training complex.

A newly established Training Committee developed and will periodically review training guidelines. The committee set a minimum training requirement and designed a weekly agenda. All P.O.S.T.-certified deputies report for one un-interrupted week of training to fulfill their annual training requirement.

Recognizing the stress that accompanies many law enforcement situations, a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team (CISD) was developed. This peer-driven team is trained to teach law enforcement officers how to cope with many of the feelings associated with stressful situations and traumatic events such as officer-involved shootings and fatal accidents.

The Sheriff's Office operates special programs under state and federal grants. These grants fund overtime for special investigations of illegal activities including drugs, organized crime and gangs. Funding through state grants is also received for Basic and Corrections training costs.