South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy Class 23-02 completes POST training
South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy Class 23-02 completed training and were presented with Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certificates of completion in an intimate graduation ceremony in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the Americus campus.
South Georgia Technical College is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and has a long-standing tradition or culture of providing top quality technical education programs to our communities. The SGTC Law Enforcement Academy is one of those programs.
The graduates of SGTC’s LEA Class 23-02 included: Cedric Demond Bryant of Albany, Takeita Denise Clark of Americus, and Jashaun Marquis Wilson of Cuthbert. All three have already been hired by the Dawson Police Department.
Cadet Cedric Demond Bryant of Albany was presented with the Class Representative and Academic Awards for Class 23-02 by SGTC LEA Director Brett Murray and SGTC Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain.
Brett D. Murray, SGTC Law Enforcement Academy Director and Cadet Cedric Bryant provided the class overview and remarks at the graduation ceremony.
Murray congratulated each of the cadets and said, “this is a very special occasion for this group. You have completed the tasks before you in order to become a law enforcement officer. You have created a bond with your fellow cadets and now you will be working together in the field. Take all of the skills you have learned and continue learning. Become life long learners. Treat people with respect and always do the right thing,” said Murray.
Cadet Cedric Bryant from Class 23-02 was presented with two class awards at the graduation ceremony. He was presented with the Top Academic Award for having the highest academic average in the class as well as selected as the Class Representative and chosen to present some remarks on behalf of the class.
After thanking everyone for attending and for providing their support, Cadet Bryant opened with a quote from Winston Churchill. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts – believe in yourself and never give in. Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence is the key to unlocking our potential, work hard to get what you want.”
“This quote means a lot to me personally,” said Bryant as he encouraged his classmates and family and friends to continue to believe in themselves and never give in or up. “Work towards you goals and in closing I encourage each of you to be careful.”
In addition to the class awards, Takeita Denise Clark of Americus was recognized as the Lou Crouch Scholarship recipient from class 23 – 2. Lou Crouch was present at the ceremony and made the scholarship presentation to Clark.
Crouch was also recognized by SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird for his dedication to the law enforcement academy, its students, and the SGTC Foundation.
“On behalf of the SGTC Foundation, I would like to recognize Lou Crouch for being a member of the SGTC Foundation’s President Club for 2022 as well as a Bronze Club member for his lifetime giving. He was scheduled to be recognized at the SGTC Foundation’s Donor Dinner in April but could not attend. So, it is fitting that he is recognized here where he has endowed or helped endow 11 different scholarships for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice students,” said Bird.
The President’s Club members are individuals or businesses that donate $5,000 in a single year to the SGTC Foundation. He has endowed or help endow 11 different scholarships for the Law Enforcement Academy. He was a major contributor to the establishment of the Lt. Michael Sangster, Lou Crouch Law Enforcement, Smarr-Smith, Sondron – Smallwood, and the Chief Vanessa Wall Scholarships.
After those presentations, each cadet was presented with a technical certificate of credit as well as an SGTC Law Enforcement coin and their POST certification award. Major Brett Murray, Director of the SGTC Law Enforcement Academy congratulated each student and also challenged them to go out into the world today and be the change they want to see in their communities.
SGTC Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain welcomed the cadets and their families to the graduation during the opening moments. Cadet Takeita Clark gave the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Partain and LEA Director Brett Murray made the presentation of the certificates and Cadet Jashaun Wilson of Cuthbert provided the benediction.
The history of the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy began 15 years ago. South Georgia Technical College was selected as one of six technical colleges in Georgia in August 2008 to participate in a pilot program that would allow new law enforcement officers to receive their basic law enforcement training at a state technical college and obtain college credit at the same time. By becoming a regional training center for POST certified Law Enforcement Officers, South Georgia Technical College has been able to provide support to local and regional law enforcement agencies as well as provide additional training opportunities for students interested in entering the Criminal Justice field.
The LEA graduates received their POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certification from South Georgia Technical College as well as a technical certificate of credit that can be utilized toward a diploma or Associate Degree in Criminal Justice.
The SGTC Law Enforcement Academy program currently takes approximately 11 weeks to complete and most recruits qualify for the HOPE Grant and other forms of financial aid. Admission standards require all students to undergo a thorough background check and adhere to all rules as set forth by the state POST Council. Students will also have to meet minimum scores in English, reading and math.
Recruits undergo intense mental and physical training as well as receive practical application in how to handle calls of service. They are tested academically as well as physically.
For more information about the Law Enforcement Academy contact the Law Enforcement Academy office at 229.931.2716 or SGTC Law Enforcement Academy Director Brett Murray at 229.931.2756.