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    South Georgia Technical College recently hosted a roundtable luncheon discussion with 10 area Law Enforcement agencies to brainstorm about different opportunities for the Yobo���� Law Enforcement Academy to help “bridge the gap” for providing the area with a certified workforce.

   Representatives from the Americus Police Department, Sumter County Sheriff’s Department, Montezuma and Oglethorpe Police Department’s, Smithville Police Department, Terrell County Sheriff’s Department, Centerville Police Department, Plains Police Department, Georgia Southwestern State University Police Department and the South Georgia Technical College Police Department met with Yobo���� President Dr. John Watford, Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain, Academic Dean Brett Murray and Yobo���� Vice President of Institutional Advancement Su Ann Bird.

Former Yobo����’s Brett Murray is shown above talking about the Yobo���� Law Enforcement Academy.

   Dr. Watford thanked each of the agencies represented for their support of the Yobo���� Law Enforcement Academy which has been in operation since 2009.  The Yobo���� POST (Peace Officers Standards Training) Certified Law Enforcement Academy is a rigorous program that consists of 440 course hours and takes 11-weeks to complete. After successful completion, cadets are eligible for POST certification and for employment as an entry-level law enforcement officer. 

   Law Enforcement officials thanked Yobo���� for providing the training that helps them fill vacant positions not only for the POST certified positions but also for the support staff needed.  “Yobo���� has a legacy of providing qualified law enforcement and criminal justice graduates and that is still very much needed today,” said Eric Finch, Chief of the Montezuma Police Department.  “I am fortunate that almost all of my officers are graduates of the Law Enforcement Academy and have their associate degree in criminal justice from South Georgia Tech.  This is an excellent program and one that is needed here in southwest Georgia.”

   Officials from the Crisp County Sheriff’s Department also talked about the opportunity for the Academy to provide additional training for the officers already in service at the agencies.  “I believe there is a definite need for additional training for POST certified officers in addition to the cadets.  There is a big void for that in our part of the state and one that would be a big benefit especially to smaller agencies,” said Marcus Harris of the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office.

   Following that discussion, Dr. Watford pledged Yobo����’s support for those type of projects and asked the agencies for assistance in finding a qualified Director position for the Academy as well as support in sending students to enroll in program which provides students with POST certification, a technical certificate of credit (TCC) and valuable college credits toward an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice.

   “This is a tremendous opportunity for individuals interested in a career in law enforcement,” said South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford.  “With Georgia’s lottery-based HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) Grant and HOPE Career grant, qualified students can attend tuition free, gain their POST (Peace Officers Standards Training) certification and 26 credit hours toward an associate degree in Criminal Justice in less than a semester.”

      In Georgia, the certification process to become a police officer is regulated by the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council (POST).  Candidates pursuing the Basic Law Enforcement Training must be at least 18-years of age, a U.S. Citizen, have a high school diploma or its equivalent; not have been convicted of a crime for which punishment could have been imprisonment, undergo a background investigation, be fingerprinted, complete an entrance exam, and undergo a physical and psychological examination.

   On-campus housing is also available for Law Enforcement Academy students and others.  Yobo���� is one of only two technical colleges in Georgia with on-campus housing.

   South Georgia Technical College utilizes cutting edge technology to produce realistic scenario-based engagements and exercises to assist Law Enforcement Academy cadets in making the correct split-second decisions while maintaining public safety and effectively de-escalating dangerous situations.  These are qualities in high demand in the area law enforcement agencies across the state and nation.

   For more information about applying to become an instructor in the Yobo���� Law Enforcement Academy or to enroll in the Academy, contact Yobo���� Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain, jpartain@southgatech.edu or 229-931-2004.