Students complete corrections officer academy. 

Front L to R: Justin Wall (Muskegon), Mateo Botello (Newaygo), Renee Bishop (Lake), Alyssa Dittmer (Lake), Tanya Lanning (Muskegon), Latricia Aikens (Muskegon), Tiffany Temple (Muskegon), Cameron McCarty (Muskegon), Jeremy Shafer (Oceana). Back L to R: Tyler Maiville (Lake), Larry Russ (Lake), Christopher Root (Muskegon), Raymond Maycock (Manistee), Nickolas Hawkins (Manistee), Leonard Merrill (Benzie), Ruth Cantu (Mason), Eric VanThomme (Leelanau).

Students complete corrections officer academy. 

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — A group of area corrections officers recently completed West Shore Community College’s Corrections Academy, a Michigan Sheriffs Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC) approved 160-hour certification program for personnel supervising inmates in county jails. 

The academy program focuses on providing the skills necessary to maintain safety and security within a correctional facility. 

During a four-week period, the academy covers booking and intake, correctional law, cultural diversity, custody and security, defensive tactics, ethics, fire safety, interpersonal communications, prisoner behavior, report writing, workplace  harassment, stress management, suicide awareness and first aid/CPR/AED.

“It’s a very intense program,” said Dan Dellar, WSCC’s director of criminal justice. “The officers are taking the equivalent of a full-time college semester in four weeks.”

“All of the graduates did an outstanding job during the academy. They will be doing a difficult and often thankless job, but they showed themselves to be true professionals from day one. They will do very well in their careers.”

Renee Bishop, from Lake County, was recognized for her leadership during the academy, while Cameron McCarty and Tiffany Temple, both from Muskegon County, were recognized for their academic achievement.

First offered in June 2010, this is the sixth academy class to graduate from WSCC.  Another session is scheduled this fall, and is open to pre-service applicants.     

Contact the WSCC Criminal Justice office at (231) 843-5831 for information about the academy.