In 2006, Sheriff Berrong implemented a plan to begin a POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) academy to train not only his own deputies, but also law enforcement officers from other agencies. He saw a gap in the training his deputies received at Tennessee’s other POST academies, and had a vision to train his deputies to his rigid standards, and at the same time, provide an opportunity to allow other law enforcement agencies to send their recruits for training as well. Sheriff Berrong put his training staff to work, creating policies, standards, and a structure for a regional training academy.

Through the hard work and dedication of many people, the BCSO kicked off Recruit Class 001 in September 2007 with 12 recruits from the BCSO and other nearby agencies. In the following years, each academy class got bigger and better, and more and more agencies began sending their recruits to the BCSO Regional Training Academy. The Academy has graduated 31 classes, with Class 032 currently in session. The BCSO Academy draws recruits from every corner of Tennessee, providing the latest training technology and techniques from some of BCSO’s brightest minds.

In addition, the BCSO hosts required annual POST in-service training for all law enforcement officers in Blount County, assuring that all of Blount County’s law enforcement officers are on the same page when responding to critical incidents.

In 2013, the Sheriff’s Office also receive approval from the Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) to host its own four week training academy and annual in-service training in-house for Corrections deputies. This not only saves taxpayers money, but it assures Corrections deputies are receiving the best and latest training techniques, thereby keeping both deputies and the inmate population safe.