The Knox County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy graduated 28 recruits during a special ceremony at the Sheriff’s Office Thursday morning, October 23rd.  The class went through eleven weeks of intense training to meet the criteria set by the Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission.  In this Basic Police School, the officers spent much of their time learning the law, arrest procedures, and community policing.  They also developed expertise in the tools of the profession such as firearms, driving, and defensive tactics.

Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones recognized five officers for their outstanding achievements.  Kenneth Dunnavant (KCSO) received the Physical Fitness award.  Jason Acuff (KCSO) was named the recipient of the Mark Currier award for courage. Academic honors went to Robert Moneymaker (KCSO).  Firearms Proficiency was awarded to Jeremiah Johnson (KCSO) and the award for Overall Excellence went to Denver Waddell (Anderson County Sheriff’s Office).

Chief Deputy Spangler, Officer Dunnavant,  Sheriff Jones, Asst. Chief Spangler	Chief Deputy Spangler, Officer Acuff, Sheriff Jones, Asst. Chief Spangler	Chief Deputy Spangler, Officer Moneymaker,  Sheriff Jones, Asst. Chief Spangler
Chief Deputy Spangler, Officer Johnson, Sheriff Jones, Asst. Chief Spangler		Chief Deputy Spangler, Officer Waddell, Sheriff Jones, Asst. Chief Spangler

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office sent two of their officers through the school and the University of Tennessee Police Department sent one officer. Among the attendees were Anderson County Sheriff Paul White, Chief Deputy Mark Lucas, UT Police Chief August Washington, Captain Keith Lambert, and Captain Jeff Severs.

Former Sheriff Tim Hutchison established the Training Academy in 1996 and since then approximately 350 recruits have graduated.