The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) announced that Sergeant Clayton Cantrell, assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division, has successfully completed the Crime Scene Technician Certificate Program (CSTCP) through the Criminal Justice Institute (CJI), University of Arkansas System.
The intensive 135-hour program includes six foundational courses: Crime Scene Management/Photography, Sketching, Note Taking and Report Writing, Latent Print Processing, Impression Evidence, Biological and Trace Evidence, and Crime Scene Investigation. The CSTCP goes above and beyond the minimum standards required for national crime scene certification.
“Sergeant Cantrell’s achievement strengthens our investigative capabilities and our commitment to evidence-based policing,” said Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr. “Investments in specialized training translate directly into better casework, stronger prosecutions, and safer communities.”
The CSTCP combines classroom learning with hands-on training using professional-grade photography and evidence-collection tools. CJI provides advanced training and resources for law enforcement across Arkansas in areas including forensic science, leadership, school safety, traffic enforcement, and drug investigations.
Sergeant Cantrell’s law enforcement career began with the Redfield Police Department in 2017. He later joined the White Hall Police Department and graduated from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy in April 2018. Cantrell came to JCSO in October 2024 as a Sergeant with the Criminal Investigation Division. He holds an Intermediate Certificate, is a certified instructor, and has completed the Arkansas Leader program and the School of Law Enforcement Supervision.
“Professional development is a core priority at JCSO,” Sheriff Woods added. “Specialized training like CSTCP elevates the quality of our investigations and supports fair, impartial, and effective justice across Jefferson County.”
