This week, the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association hosted chief deputy sheriffs for the third and final week of the Chief Deputies’ Leadership Institute at the JB Duke hotel in Durham. Chief deputies from across the state including Chief Deputy Hickman of Beaufort County attended.

During Week 3, chief deputies heard guest speakers, attended presentations and participated in training classes on several topics aimed at helping them support their sheriff and their community. Training classes included instruction on legal considerations for chief deputies, vacancies in the Office of Sheriff, officer-involved shootings, leadership styles, personal resiliency, laws related to evidence storage and disposition, the Associations’ legislative program, as well as emergency preparedness in jails.

Commenting on the experience at the Institute, Chief Deputy Hickman noted, “I am grateful to have been able to participate in the Chief Deputies’ Leadership Institute over the past year with the Association. The Institute has been an incredibly valuable opportunity for learning and collaboration with other chief deputies from across the state. The knowledge and skills I have gained over this past year will stay with me as I continue to serve as chief deputy.”

At the conclusion of the week, Chief Deputy Hickman graduated from the Chief Deputies’ Leadership Institute and earned a diploma for the achievement.

The Chief Deputies’ Leadership Institute is a three-week course taught over twelve months. It consists of almost 100 total hours of training. Chief deputies who attended all three weeks of the Institute over the past twelve months were eligible to graduate.

Commenting on the benefits of the Chief Deputies’ Leadership Institute, North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association President and Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said, “I congratulate each of the accomplished graduates of the Chief Deputies’ Leadership Institute this week. Chief deputies are essential in supporting the Office of Sheriff. They are a critical link between a sheriff and a sheriff’s staff, as well as the community. The Association is proud to provide chief deputies with the opportunity to attend this educational institute and provide them with valuable skills they can apply in their own sheriffs’ offices.”

Founded in 1922, the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association is a statewide not-for-profit professional and educational organization of our state’s 100 sheriffs. Through their Association, sheriffs work to strengthen the law enforcement profession and services their offices provide to the people of North Carolina.