Cherokee County Deputies Participate in Joint Training with Cherokee Tribal Police Department and Swain County Sheriff’s Office

Pictured from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office: Deputy Tristan Howard, Detective T. J. Major, Deputy Jesse Miller, Detective Nick Queen, Deputy Ryan Wilson, Sheriff Chris Wood, and Agent Hunter Wood.

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

Cherokee County Deputies Participate in Joint Training with Cherokee Tribal Police Department and Swain County Sheriff’s Office

On August 25th, 2026, members of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office participated in a joint law enforcement training session at the Appalachia Training Center in Bryson City. The training was hosted by the Cherokee Tribal Police Department and was attended by members of the Swain County Sheriff’s Office.

The training focused on Subject Control and Arrest Techniques, providing deputies and officers with practical, hands-on instruction designed to help them safely manage physical and potentially violent encounters. Participants were introduced to techniques drawn from Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and other combat disciplines, with an emphasis on controlling subjects, safely making arrests, and reducing the risk of injury to both law enforcement officers and the people they encounter.

Training in these skills directly benefits the citizens of Cherokee County. Law enforcement officers may face unpredictable and rapidly changing situations in the course of their duties. Maintaining proficiency in effective control and arrest techniques gives deputies additional tools to safely resolve those encounters while using appropriate levels of force. Regular hands-on training also helps ensure that these skills remain effective under the stress and demands of real-world situations.

The joint nature of the training provided an additional benefit to the communities served by each agency. Deputies and officers had the opportunity to train alongside one another, practice techniques in realistic situations, and strengthen communication and teamwork. Continued training between neighboring agencies helps build professional relationships that can be especially valuable when agencies work together during emergencies, major incidents, or other situations requiring a coordinated law enforcement response.

Sheriff Chris Wood stated, “Myself and Sheriff Kirkland had the opportunity to attend this training session, and the level of professionalism and effort really pumps me up. I am so thankful to the Cherokee Tribal Police Department for putting this on and fostering relationships between departments. This training not only benefits our deputies, but the community they serve.”