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The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office Training Academy offers certification for Detention Officers. This program is conducted in a military-style atmosphere.
Basic Detention Officer Training
The 10 week course consists of firearms training, direct supervision, ASP baton/pepper spray certification and the state-mandated Detention Officer Certification course. The curriculum ranges from physical fitness to the legal aspects of detention center management. The Academy operates the only Basic Detention Officer training program of its kind in the state. Recruits are required to participate in a physical fitness program that includes running, calisthenics and weight training.
Field Training
All academy (Detention Officer) graduates will be required to complete a four to six week field training program prior to being assigned to a shift. Once assigned to a shift officers will remain in a trainee status until training with a shift training officer has been completed. New employees will receive state mandated, organizational and shift level training prior to performing Detention Officer duties alone. The Mecklenburg Deputy Sheriff employees also participate in a regimented on the job training program. Please contact your recruiter for more information.
Firearms Training
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office operates an in-door, lead-free firing range, which provides MCSO staff and other local law enforcement agencies with firearms training and qualifications. The Firing Range provides adequate space, equipment, and video/reference material for training needs. The range includes 12 firing lanes with computerized target systems, and the Professional Range Instruction Simulator (PRISM).
The Firing Range staff consists of a Training Supervisor, a full-time Firearms Instructor, and ten part-time Firearms Instructors. Our Firearms Instructors are certified Armorers for all commonly used firearms, including Glock, Smith & Wesson, Colt and Remington. The Range operates Monday – Friday, from 7:00 am until 4:00 pm.
DIRECTIONS FOR DETENTION CENTER NORTH ON SPECTOR DRIVE (RANGE LOCATED AT DETENTION CENTER NORTH)
- Take I-77 North to Exit 16A, Sunset Road
- Right on Sunset Road to the second stoplight
- Left at second stoplight onto Statesville Road, Highway 21 North
- Spector Drive is the first street to left
- Detention Center Annex is first facility on right (modular units in fenced area)
- Detention Center North is at end of Spector Drive
The Range conducts Armed Detention Officer School , In-service Firearms Training for Deputies and Detention Officers, Weapon Retention, PRISM and Combat training courses, and Firearms Qualifications each month. The Range completes approximately 11,000 hours of firearms training per year. We strive to offer our officers the training they need to survive an encounter while reducing agency liability.
