SFSC Graduates Corrections and Law Enforcement Officers

During a ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 15 on the Highlands Campus, Basic Corrections Academy Class 110 graduated eight cadets, the Basic Law Enforcement (BLE) Academy Class 271 graduated nine cadets, and the Cross Over to Basic Law Enforcement Class 365 graduated one cadet.

Basic Corrections Academy Class 110 graduates who received Career Certificates were: Vaughn Jenkins (class leader), Ulysses Granados-Gomez, Brittainy Grant, Andrew Ortiz, Devidal Richardson, Porsche Wade, and Walter Williams.

BLE Class 271 graduates who received Career Certificates were: Andru McCarty (class leader), Jacob M. Jimenez (executive officer), Veronica Chillemi, Beronica Fabian Tomas, Anthony Garza, Antonio Islas, Guadalupe Martinez-Valle, Antonio Miyares, and Jean Vernet.

The Crossover Academy Class 365 graduate who received his Career Certificate was: Donald Phillips III.

During the ceremony, special awards were presented to several cadets. Of the Basic Corrections Academy Class 110, Vaughn Jenkins was honored as class leader and Ulysses Granados-Gomez for Top Academics. For the Basic Law Enforcement Academy Class 271 and Cross Over to Basic Law Enforcement Class 365, Andru McCarty was honored as class leader, Jacob M. Jimenez as executive officer, and Beronica Fabian Tomas for Top Academics.

Guest speaker for the graduation was Garrett Roberts, general counsel for the Highlands County Sheriff’s Department. Addressing the cadets, he said, “Becoming a law enforcement or corrections officer is not for the faint of heart or the selfish. It takes hard work and sacrifice. While today signifies your graduation, it is merely the first step in your career, where the work has just begun. The career that you’ve chosen is a noble one. It is your duty to ensure it will be respected when you retire just as much as it is today.

“Citizens will call you on their worst day. They will think all hope is lost. It will be your obligation and your sworn duty to help that person in need. Children will look at you like you’re Superman. Act like it. Spend a few minutes with a child. Spend as much time as you can investing in others. But do this not by wanting or expecting anything in return. Think about your legacy. How will you be remembered? Then act with the end in mind. Be the person who seeks truth and respects others. Be the person who lives with integrity. Be the person your family will be proud of. Be the protector of those who are fearful. Be the hero that brings a smile to a child’s face. Ultimately, be the change that you want to see in this world.”

Upon successful completion of the SFSC 420-contact hour Basic Correctional Officer Program, students earn a Career Certificate and are eligible to take the state certification examination to become a certified officer.

SFSC’s Basic Law Enforcement Career Certificate program trains students to become law enforcement officers in Florida. By successfully completing the program, they are eligible to take the state certification examination to become certified law enforcement officers. The program runs 770 contact hours or approximately five months full-time or approximately 10 months part-time.

The Correction to Law Enforcement (Crossover) Career Certificate program trains currently employed corrections officers to become law enforcement officers in Florida. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the state certification examination to become certified law enforcement officers. The program runs 515 contact hours or approximately 10 months part-time.

For more information about these Criminal Justice programs, visit the SFSC website or call the Criminal Justice Academy at ext. 7285.