Forsyth County Deputy Sheriff Paige Turpen was honored last Friday, December 16, as the top academic graduate of the North Central Georgia Police Academy, Sheriff Paxton has announced.

Deputy Turpen, who joined the Sheriff’s Office on July 12, 2005 as an entry-level Deputy Sheriff working in the Adult Detention Center, recently completed the rigorous 10-week police academy in Austell. During graduation ceremonies of the academy’s 221st Class, she was honored for her excellence in academic work, having maintained an over 96.6 GPA (grade point average). Turpen competed with 21 other students for the academic award.

“We’re very proud to have someone of Paige’s ability working with us,” Sheriff Paxton said. “Paige certainly set the standard for her classmates to follow,” he added.

The Basic Law Enforcement Training Course consists of 400 hours of classroom and practical training as required by the Georgia Peace officers Standards and Training Council. Each new law enforcement officer in Georgia must complete this course prior to becoming a Certified Peace Officer.

The course provides instruction in the areas of Criminal Justice, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Community Relations, Modern Police Procedures, Firearms, Emergency Vehicle Operations and First Aid Training.

Following graduation, Deputy Turpen has been assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division where she will undergo an intensive 12-week Field Training Program. Once that training is successfully completed, she will be prepared to assume regular patrol duties.