Sampson County recently celebrated another officer from the area who has received the NC Detention Officer of the Year Award. 

Sgt. Kennis Beatty of the Sampson County Detention Center was  selected as the NC Detention Officer of the Year. The County recognized Beatty in a short ceremony during the Sampson County Commissioners Meeting in early October. 

“Congratulations to Sgt. Kennis Beatty of the Sampson County Detention Center on being selected as the NC Detention Officer of the Year. Sgt. Beatty is the third person in the last five years from Sampson County to receive this honor. We are proud of his achievements and the positive impact he has made in our community.” shared the Sampson County Government in a social media post. 

This award recognizes a detention officer who has made outstanding contributions to his/her Sheriff’s Office or who has demonstrated superior courage and bravery in the performance his/her assigned duties. The purpose of the award is to establish a prestigious award to recognize an individual who has made significant contributions directly related to the operations of the Detention Facility and the Sheriff’s Office.

To qualify, a candidate must be a certified Detention Officer through Sheriff’s Standards and must be a

full-time employee with the detention facility. The nominating sheriff or detention administrator must be a member in good standing of the NCJAA and must sign the application.

The selection panel consists of members of the NCJAA Awards Committee assigned by the Awards Committee Chairman with a minimum of four members.