ROCKINGHAM — Sgt. Marcus Ricks was recognized at Tuesday’s City Council meeting form completing the Tactical Training Certificate Program at the N.C. Justice Academy.
Joining him at the meeting were his wife, Christina — who works with the Aberdeen Police Department — and son, Jackson.
According to a press release, participants must be sworn members of a law enforcement agency with at least two years of experience as a full-time officer and complete 500 hours of training within five years of being accepted into the program, which includes a variety of tactical-oriented courses.
Richard White, training coordinator with the academy who also serves as the program coordinator, says officers who complete the program “have mastered important aspects of tactical training and have achieved a high level of professionalism for themselves and their organizations.
“The commitment of Sgt. Marcus D. Ricks to complete this program is a direct example of his dedication to protect the community in which he serves,” White said in a press release. “His effort to stay in the forefront of tactical training is a direct reflection on the commitment of the Rockingham Police Department to ensure that their officers are prepared to meet the day-to-day dangers faced by law enforcement officers today.”
Rockingham Police Chief Billy said Ricks “continues to be an example, both on the job and in the classroom.”
Ricks, who heads up the department’s Traffic Enforcement Division, has previously obtained his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the N.C. Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and has completed the Traffic Certificate Program from the Justice Academy.
He began his career with the Aberdeen Police Department — where his wife currently works — but has been with the Rockingham Police Department since 2011.
In 2016, Ricks was promoted from corporal to sergeant and later in the year was awarded the Region 6 County Coordinator of the Year at the Governor’s Highway Safety Symposium.
