Hamilton County, TN – On Friday, April 8, 2022, three new Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies graduated from the Blount County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy in Blount County, Tennessee.

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Services command and Public Relations Office staff traveled to Blount County, Tennessee, to participate in the graduation and recognize the achievements of these three new patrol deputies.

The new HCSO Deputies are Austin Crider, Michael DeSha, and Austin Price. Altogether, there were (39) recruits who graduated from the 24th Regional Law Enforcement Academy (Class 024) who represented (19) law enforcement agencies in Tennessee.

The (12) week course, which began on January 17th, involved (500) hours of intense law enforcement training including criminal law, community relations, patrol tactics, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, firearms, as well as other law enforcement related topics. Recruits are also required to meet Cooper Institute standards for physical fitness in several categories, including sit-ups, push-ups, one and a half mile run, 300 meter run, and an obstacle course.

In addition to graduating from the academy, HCSO Deputy Austin Price was presented the Firearms Proficiency Award for his marksmanship skills during the academy.

Present at the graduation were Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement Mark King, Patrol Services Captain Spencer Daniels, Training Lieutenant Eric Merkle, School Resource Unit Lieutenant Jamie Fields, and Public Relations Manager Matt Lea.

Please join with us as we welcome these new patrol deputies and congratulate them on their graduation from this prestigious academy.

More photos can be viewed by visiting our HCSO Facebook page.