ANNISTON—The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is welcoming four new deputies following their successful completion of state-mandated law enforcement training.
Deputies Koal Garrett, Xavier DeRamus, Wyatt Smith, and Dalton Scott earned certification through the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy.
“Congratulations to our new deputies,” the Sheriff’s Office said in announcing the achievement. “We’re glad to have you all aboard.”
Fourteen Weeks of Training
APOSTC stands for the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission, the state agency that establishes certification requirements for Alabama law enforcement officers.
The basic academy curriculum includes 560 hours of instruction completed over 14 weeks. Recruits receive intensive classroom and field training designed to prepare them for the legal, physical, and practical demands of law enforcement.
Unlike an open college course, the academy’s basic training program only accepts recruits who have already taken an oath and secured employment with a law enforcement agency.
According to the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy, recruits must pass written examinations covering subjects such as legal issues and first aid. They must also demonstrate safe firearms handling, meet shooting qualification requirements, complete practical exercises, and pass an emergency vehicle operations course.
Additionally, recruits must maintain strict attendance throughout the program.
Recruits Face Physical Standards
Physical conditioning represents another major part of academy training.
During their first week, recruits must complete an agility course in 90 seconds. They must also perform at least 22 push-ups in one minute, complete 25 sit-ups in one minute, and finish a 1.5-mile run within 15 minutes and 28 seconds.
Those standards help instructors evaluate whether recruits can handle the physical demands they may face while serving the public. Moreover, recruits must continue meeting physical fitness requirements before they can graduate.
Academy Has Served Northeast Alabama Since 1972
The Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy opened in 1972, following the passage of Alabama’s Minimum Standards Act and the creation of APOSTC.
Today, the academy operates on a Jacksonville State University satellite campus at 100 Gamecock Drive in Anniston. It serves law enforcement agencies across 21 counties and 105 cities in northern and northeastern Alabama. The academy also provides advanced training for experienced officers from across the state.
It is one of 10 Alabama law enforcement academies certified by APOSTC, according to Jacksonville State University. Since its establishment, the academy has trained approximately 15,000 law enforcement officers.
Graduates of approved APOSTC regional academy sessions may also qualify for up to 21 hours of college credit through Jacksonville State University after meeting certification and university requirements.
Beginning Their Service in Calhoun County
Completing the academy marks an important step for Garrett, DeRamus, Smith, and Scott as they begin their service with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office.
Their certification confirms that each deputy completed Alabama’s required classroom instruction, practical exercises, physical testing, firearms training, and emergency vehicle training.
The Sheriff’s Office has not announced specific assignments for the four deputies. However, department officials said they are pleased to welcome each of them to the agency and congratulated them on reaching the professional milestone.
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