Take a Knee

PICTURED ABOVE

Laurel County court security officers Dustin Saylor (pictured at front) and Marcus Stigall practice firearms skills at Center Target Firearms and Range in London, Ky. (Photo by Michael A. Moore)

A vital role in many sheriff’s offices is that of a certified court security officer. These individuals are tasked with providing security to courtrooms across the commonwealth, and they often transport prisoners.

The Department of Criminal Justice Training offers a two-week Court Security Officer Basic Training Academy, which is held several times a year. DOCJT Instructor Dale Fernandez said there are many requirements students have to meet to graduate the program.

One of the biggest hurdles is in the area of firearms. However, the issue isn’t being able to hit a target.

“It’s the physical part where they have to shoot from a kneeling position “he explained. “With some CCSOs, getting down on their knees and being able to get back up unaided is a problem. Also, having the strength to lock the slide of a weapon—the hand strength of manipulating the weapon.”

During a potential incident in a courtroom where gunfire is exchanged, Fernandez said CCSOs will have to be able to dodge and get behind barriers such as benches, chairs, overturned tables or other objects for cover.

Laurel County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brett Reeves (pictured at left) shows CCSO Marcus Stigall the proper way to clear a firearm. (Photo by Michael A. Moore)

“They have to be able to get down on their knees during the course of fire,” Fernandez said.

If a CCSO student cannot meet these requirements, they will fail the program, Fernandez continued.

“We rarely have anyone fail the firearms portion from a qualifying standpoint,” he said. “It’s the kneeling position and manipulating the weapon. It’s a safety issue.”

Because of this, many sheriff’s offices are becoming more selective in their application process.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office puts applicants through the paces before sending them to CCSO Academy.

Laurel County Sheriff’s Sgt. Phil Barnard said his agency puts court security officer applicants through the paces before they are sent through the Department of Criminal Justice’s Court Security Officer Academy. (Photo by Michael A. Moore)

“We started screening those folks when they first interviewed for the open position,” Laurel County Sgt. Phil Barnard said. “We wanted to make sure they could perform. In some instances, we had them demonstrate to us they could get up from a kneeling position under their own power.”

The reason is twofold. First, to have a candidate go to CCSO Basic Training Academy and washout costs LCSO time and money. Secondly, it’s a safety matter, Barnard said.

“It’s a long process, and it’s a difficult process to go through,” he explained. “We want make sure these people are going to be successful when they go for training.

“We are also mindful of not wanting to send anyone to DOCJT who is going to be a danger to (themselves) or anyone else,” Barnard continued.

Laurel County also works with applicants on firearms skills beforehand, Sgt. Jack Caudill said.

Laurel County court security officers are required to qualify with weapons before attending the DOCJT CCSO academy, Laurel County Sgt. Jack Caudill said. (Photo by Michael A. Moore)

“We have them qualify here before they go (to academy) so they know how to use their weapon,” Caudill said. “They’re encouraged to practice at a local range on their own. We also train them on handcuff techniques and other skills.”

Fernandez said any training and assessments done before a candidate walks into the academy makes it more likely they will be successful.

“They need to be coached because we get a lot of people who’ve never handled firearms before,” he said. “They need to go to the firing range and see what it’s like to fire a weapon. They need practice drawing weapons and other basic skills because we only have a short time with them on the firing range.”

In the end, if an agency spends time working with candidates before sending them to CCSO Basic Training Academy, it will benefit the individual, their agencies and DOCJT in the long run, Fernandez said.

For more information, visit DOCJT’s CCSO Basic Training Academy.

Laurel County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brett Reeves (pictured at left) goes over a target CCSO Dustin Saylor shot at during range practice. (Photo by Michael A. Moore)