St. Mary's Co. Sheriff's News Briefs

SMCSO Welcomes New Correctional Officers

On Friday, August 5, four new Correctional Officers began their careers after graduating from the 55th Corrections Officer Entrance Level Training Program, held at the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy. The program requires each Correctional Officer to complete an eight-week, 320 hour Basic Corrections Academy, which exceeds the state minimum for all Correctional Officers working in local Correctional Facilities across Maryland.

Captain Michael R. Merican, Warden of the St. Mary's County Detention Center, congratulated the graduates and conferred their certificates of completion. Command representatives from the St., Mary's County Sheriff's Office joined the family, friends, and guests of the graduates, honoring their graduation.

Correctional Officer Rainer Hersh received the Steve Allen Leadership Award, and Correctional Officer Dale Wade improved his fit test by 60% and dropped twenty-five pounds while in the academy.

On behalf of Sheriff Tim Cameron and the men and women of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, it is our pleasure to welcome the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy 55th Session graduates:

• Correctional Officers Rainer W. Hersh

• Correctional Officer Alexander G. Tasciotti

• Correctional Officer Briana M. Edelen

• Correctional Officer Dale I. Wade

Sergeant Anthony T. Fenwick Retires After Twenty-Five Years of Service


On July 31, Sgt. Anthony T. Fenwick of the St. Mary's County Detention Center retired after 25 years of dedicated service. Sgt. Fenwick began his career on August 12, 1991, and completed his Academy training on November 22, 1991. In July 1998 he was promoted to Correctional Officer First Class and promoted again in December 2013 to Corporal. In 2013 he received the rank of Sergeant after Rank Restructure.

Sgt. Fenwick led a very successful career in the Detention Center. In addition to being one of the original members of the Emergency Response Team, he was a Field Training Officer, Transport Supervisor, Operations Squad Supervisor and a K-9 Officer, with his partner Bandy, within the facility.

Sergeant Selina M. Dorsey Retires After Twenty-Five Years of Service


Sgt. Selina M. Dorsey of the St. Mary's County Detention Center retired after 25 years of dedicated service on January 29, 2016. Sgt. Dorsey began her career on January 7, 1991, and completed her academy training in July of that year. In July 1997 Sgt. Dorsey was promoted to Correctional Officer First Class and promoted again to Corporal in August 2000. In July 2013 Sgt. Dorsey was promoted to Sergeant after Rank Restructure.

Sgt. Dorsey led a very successful career in the Detention Center. In addition to being one of the original members of the Emergency Response Team, she was a Field Training Officer, Operations Squad Supervisor and a member of the Transport Division. Sgt. Dorsey also became a Duly Authorized Inspector for the Maryland Commission Correctional Standards.

SMCSO and Southern Maryland Young Marines Unit Develop Partnership


An act of kindness has morphed into an ongoing partnership between the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office and the Southern Maryland Young Marines Unit. The Young Marines' mission is to impact America's future positively by providing quality youth development programs for boys and girls. These programs nurture and help members develop into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Recently, the Southern Maryland Young Marines Unit was selected for the Drug Enforcement Administration's Enrique "KiKi" Camarena Division Award. The award honors six units, one award per division, for drug demand reduction efforts through community education and peer-to-peer role modeling.

In recognition of their common cause, the Young Marines invited deputies from the Sheriff's Office to their Saturday, July 16, 2016 meeting, for light refreshments and conversation. During the meeting, the officers volunteered to take part in an impromptu panel discussion. They encouraged the Young Marines to ask them open and honest questions about recent events surrounding law enforcement and told the Young Marines how mutual respect between citizens and law enforcement officers can have a positive impact on interactions between the two.

The officers also spoke about the nature of leadership and shared the characteristics of leaders. When the Young Marines told the officers about their own drug reduction efforts, the idea of the partnership was born.

"When we learned the Young Marines wanted to get involved, we immediately recognized the benefit of bringing this group of young men and women into Sheriff's Office initiatives to help us change the culture surrounding drug misuse and abuse in St. Mary's County. We can police, we can educate, but you start to see the fruits of your labor when community groups such as the Young Marines get involved," says Capt. Daniel Alioto of the Sheriff's Office. "We are both working toward the same goal in the community. Why not bring the two together and extend our resources?"

After the initial meeting, deputies began brainstorming on how to utilize Young Marines in a way that would connect with their mission. Corporal Peggy Smolarskly, Leonardtown Community Policing Deputy, proposed involving the Young Marines in community policing events, specifically in downtown Leonardtown.

In addition, Young Marines will act as Camp D.A.R.E. counselors, under the leadership of Cpl. Angela Delozier. The previous work by Young Marines in drug-demand reduction efforts will be valuable to the Camp D.A.R.E. program, and as counselors, they will play a vital role in helping to coordinate Camp D.A.R.E. Also, they will be able to enhance their leadership skills by serving as youth leaders.

Further, during Red Ribbon Week, an alcohol, tobacco, violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October in the United States, the Sheriff's Office and the Young Marines will co-host "Chasing the Dragon". "Chasing the Dragon" is an FBI documentary that attempts to combat the surge in heroin addiction through increased awareness and features interviews with survivors of substance abuse and family members of those suffering from addiction.

On Thursday, August 4, Southern Maryland Young Marines Unit Adjutant, Mrs. Leigh Willis, and her son, Young Marine Sgt. Jake Willis, met with Sheriff's Office deputies, to discuss these and other ideas. Sheriff Tim Cameron says, "We are excited to partner with this bright group of young men and leaders in our community. We have formed a mutually-beneficial partnership with will serve the community and the youth in St. Mary's County for years to come."

Rob Willis, Unit Commander, Southern Maryland Young Marines, concurs, "As a National Youth Organization, we are committed to creating the next generation of leaders and engaged citizens. The Southern Maryland Young Marines are excited about our partnership with the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office as we seek to impact young men and women in communities across Southern Maryland in a positive way."

SMCSO Swears-In Returning Deputy


Deputy James Maguire was sworn in on August 2, by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Ms. Joan Williams and he started his first shift back on patrol this past Friday. During the swearing-in, he was joined by his daughter Carlie, Sheriff Tim Cameron, and fellow Sheriff's Office employees. Deputy James Maguire was with the Sheriff's Office for nine years, before moving with his family to Virginia and serving as an officer for Loudon County Sheriff's Office for three years.

"When I left a little over three years ago, I always knew I'd someday return. St. Mary's County and the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office will always be home to me, and it's great to be home," said Deputy Maguire.

Sheriff Cameron and the men and women of the Sheriff's Office welcomes Deputy First Class James Maguire back to the Sheriff's Office to continue in his law enforcement career.