Surry County Sheriff Carlos Turner received the Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute recertification designation at the VSI Training Conference in Hot Springs on April 27.

The recertification certificate was presented by Dr. Robyn McDougle associate professor of criminal justice at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Although it’s a lengthy and voluntary process, the VSI confers certification only to Virginia sheriffs and deputies who “demonstrate a level of progressive education, training and advanced professional development, combined with the wisdom from years of relevant practical experience in law enforcement.”

Turner was part of VSI’s Inaugural Certification class in 2018. According to a news release from the Surry Sheriff’s Office, he is the only area sheriff to receive the certification. 

Turner, who earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Liberty University and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Albany State University, has more than 24 years of experience as a law enforcement officer. He has served as a training academy instructor in several disciplines.  

Turner has attended several professional development courses sponsored by the National Sheriff’s Association, for which he serves on two national committees. He has also attended courses held by the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (FBI-LEEDS) and FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA).

“This recertification not only shows my commitment to continuing my professional development and lifelong learning as sheriff, but also to the advancement of public safety as a whole in Surry County,” Turner said.

“The men and women who have completed this voluntary certification program should be proud of their lifelong commitment to professional development,” said Chesterfield County Sheriff Karl S. Leonard, president of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute. “I congratulate each participant for demonstrating their commitment to professionalism, growth and learning within the law enforcement field. By obtaining this certification, sheriffs and deputies show their dedication to being equipped with the latest information and training on current issues and challenges for which law enforcement officials are responsible for addressing.”

The Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute, in cooperation with the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, the Performance Management Group at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Virginia Center for Policing Innovation, developed the VSI Certification Program to “promote, recognize and elevate the continued individual professional development of Virginia’s sheriffs and deputies.”