On June 3 and 4, 31 new police and corrections officers celebrated their completion of a challenging and rewarding law enforcement training program at two separate Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy graduation ceremonies.
The Corrections officers graduated on June 3 at the Charles County Government Building. The corrections graduates completed the Academy’s eight week training program, during which the corrections officers learned the fundamentals of corrections and prepared for their career as a corrections officer. Each class votes on its own class motto and this class chose, "Excellence through Unity."
During the graduation, officers were presented with excellence awards. John Cook received the Physical Training Excellence award and Scott Ruest received the Scholastic Excellence award.
The new corrections officers include:
Charles County Sheriff’s Office:
- Terrell Hemsley
- Eric Keys
- Justin Lloyd
- Ryan Ross
- William Saunders
- William Tall
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office:
- Ronald Barnes
- Thomas Brendlinger
- John Cook
- William Coyne
- Lawerence Nimmerrichter
- Scott Ruest
- Krystle Shughart
- Brian Yount
The police officers graduated June 4 at La Plata High School. The graduates completed the Academy’s six month training program that is academically and physically intense. Through skills scenarios, Emergency Vehicle Operation training, firearms training, academic tests and physical training officers prepare for their careers as police officers.
The class motto was, "All One, All Blue." During the graduation, several awards were presented. Michael Jones received the Physical Training, Firearms and Vehicle Operations Excellence awards. Anthony Celia received the Scholastic Excellence award.
The new officers include:
Charles County Sheriff’s Office:
- Michael Burrows
- Anthony Celia
- Kristen Clark
- Kyle Evans
- Steven Hawkins
- Timothy Lyons
- Jennifer McKenzie
- Colby Shaw
- Barry Taylor
- Michael Wagner
Calvert County Sheriff’s Office:
- Elvis Carter
- Michael Jones
- James Smith
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office:
- Jason Maletto
Fairmount Heights Police Department:
- Joseph Lomax
Patuxent River Police Department:
- Michael Davis
- Dennis Sauve
The Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy is a cooperation between the three Southern Maryland county sheriff’s offices. Under the direction of Capt. Dennis Burks, the Academy maintains 100% compliance with Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissioners standards, as demonstrated during a bi-yearly audit in 2003.