Fourteen new correctional officers began serving and protecting their respective counties recently after their graduation from the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy June 17.
The fourteen students completed the eight-week training program, which began April 25, 2005. The Sheriff's offices of Charles and St. Mary's counties each welcomed five new officers and the Calvert County Sheriff's Office welcomed four new officers.
At the ceremony, Academy instructors presented awards to students who excelled in two categories. Officer James Montgomery of the Charles County Sheriff's Office received the physical fitness award and Officer Tsianina Lancaster of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office received the scholastic achievement award.
The class boasted a 94 percent final class academic average. Their class motto, chosen by the students at the beginning of the training program, was "Knowledge by hand and mind."
District Court Judge Louis Hennessy served as keynote speaker for the ceremony. Ed Schauf of the College of Southern Maryland's legal studies department spoke about the articulation agreement between the Academy and the College, which provides each graduate with six college credits toward the college's criminal justice program. Gloria Herndon, administrator for the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC), also spoke during the ceremony. Additionally, St. Mary's County Sheriff David Zylak, Major Michael O'Toole, Assistant Sheriff of Charles County; and Robert Lusby, Administrator of the Calvert County Detention Center, gave remarks to the graduates.
The Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy congratulates the following new correctional officers:
Charles County:
Ryan E. Hancock
James D. Montgomery
Shaun M. O'Hara
LaJoy L. Smallwood
Julie M. Young
Calvert County:
Johnny C. Coates
Thomas Commodore
Katina D. James
Tammy L. Underwood
St. Mary's County:
Jeremy L. Green
Matthew S. Johnson
Tsianina L. Lancaster
Bruce R. Raley
Timothy D. White