Let’s Talk Trash! JAN / FEB 2021 ©2020 - 2021 The Keenan Group, Inc
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What’s it like to be Sheriff Van Dyke?
Where were you born? I was born in Nashville, TN. What school did you attend? I graduated from Jo Byrns School, and from Austin Peay State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. What was your favorite subject in school? My favorite subject in school was history. I had great history teachers such as Mrs. Heard, and Ms. Owens who gave us an understanding that where we come from as a nation can help us make better decisions for a more successful future. Did you play any sports? I played little league baseball, and was on the 1st high school bowling team for Jo Byrns. I participated in a lot of outdoor high adventure activities like horseback riding, backpacking, boating, fishing, and hunting. I was also an Eagle Scout. When did you decide to become a Deputy Sheriff? I decided I wanted to be in Law Enforcement my senior year of high school where I had gotten to know my School Resource Officer. After my 18th birthday, I went and rode as an observer at the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office on weekends until I graduated high school.
schools safer for our children to grow. It is also demanding, stressful, and you have to make split second life and death decisions. Each day is unique, and you can build relationships with many people. You have to use a lot of skills that are learned in school like reading, writing, math, com - puter skills, and communication. Overall, a Deputy Sheriff is a highly skilled position that has strict professional, physical, and strong character requirements. You have to be willing to sacrifice working week- ends, holidays, nights, and missing special events like birthdays with your family to keep the community safe. How much training does a Deputy Sheriff need? A Deputy Sheriff receives 480 hours of training at a State Certified Law Enforcement Academy. Additionally, at the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office, they receive 576 hours of field training, and an additional 50-100 hours of ongoing training each year. There is also additional training for specialized assignments such as the Emergency Response Team, K9 unit, and the Negotiations Team. Deputy Sheriffs receive more training than many other careers. What is the coolest thing about being a Sheriff? Being able to help people in our community, and being able to help make a change that improves the quality of life of our friends and neighbors, and helping our citizens feel safer are some of the greatest things about being a Sheriff.
What was your first job after school? My first job after school was a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office. I then became a full time Police Officer for Austin Peay State University while attending College. Is there a difference between a Sheriff Deputy and a Police Officer? Yes, a Sheriff is elected by the citizens of the County in which they serve. A Sheriff is a Constitutional Officer and the Chief Law Enforcement Official for the County. The Sheriff is responsible for all the duties that a Police Department performs such as patrolling, detecting crime, and enforcing laws. Additionally, the Sheriff is responsible for operating the County Jail, attending and providing security to the Courts, serving legal process for the Courts, and training and employing School Resource Officers. Sheriffs have the most statutory duties under law than any other elected official. What is it like to be a Patrol Deputy? Being a Patrol Deputy is very reward - ing because you get to help citizens who are in need, and improve citizens’ quality of life by making the neighborhoods and
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