WILSON — James Averette has some deep Bladen County roots. From 2000 to 2005, he was a member of the White lake Volunteer Fire Department and lieutenant with the Bladen County Water Rescue team; he delivered the Bladen Journal from 2002 to 2005; and he graduated from Bladen Community College’s basic law enforcement training program in 2005, where one of his instructors was current Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVickers.

But for the past 10 years, Averette has been putting deep roots into Wilson County, where he has been with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office since February 2006.

On Sept. 9, Senior Deputy Averette and three of his co-workers — Detective Steve Smith, Detective Jason Newsome and Deputy Ben Lovell — each received the Advanced Deputy Professional Law Enforcement Certificate from the N.C. Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission.

“I’m proud of this accomplishment,” Averette said. “It’s a pretty big deal for me and my career.”

According to The Wilson Times, the Advanced Deputy Professional Law Enforcement Certificate is the highest professional certificate awarded to sheriffs and deputy sheriffs in North Carolina. To qualify, sheriffs and deputies must complete a combination of professional training and relevant education as well as meet minimum experience requirements.

Established in September 1983, the N.C. Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission aims to upgrade the capabilities, competence and proficiency of sheriffs’ departmental personnel through programs, standards and procedures involving employment, improvement, career development and retention.

The commission currently maintains certification files on more than 25,000 deputy sheriffs, detention officers and telecommunicators.

While with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, Averette has been assigned to the county’s detention center, animal enforcement and as a K-9 officer. He is currently the senior diver of the county’s dive, search and recovery dive team.

W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.

http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_Cop1.jpg

http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_Cop2.jpg

W. Curt Vincent

cvincent@civitasmedia.com