ATLANTA - Ten officers are set to graduate from the Basic Community Supervision Officer Training (BCSOT) at the State Offices South at Tift College in Forsyth, Georgia. The graduation ceremony will begin at 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 27, 2019, in Roberts Chapel. The graduation ceremony concludes the eight-week training course. All graduates will be certified as Community Supervision Officers by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.).

These men and women join the ranks of fellow officers responsible for the community-based supervision of approximately 200,000 adult felony offenders throughout Georgia.

DCS Director of Training and Professional Development, Ms. Shanta Porter, says that these new officers are well prepared and ready to serve their communities.

“Over the past eight weeks, these men and women have overcome many obstacles, challenges, and tests,” said Porter. “The dedication, teamwork, and integrity these officers have shown during their training is truly inspiring. The DCS Training Academy prepares future officers to fully appreciate the impact they will have in an individual's life. I know that these values will help them as they begin their careers and work to improve the lives of offenders and communities across Georgia,” added Porter.

The BCSOT program includes training on: supervision techniques, investigation procedures, intervention strategies, Georgia law, policy and procedure, interview skills, physical fitness, arrest procedures, defensive tactics, computer interaction, and firearms qualification.

The new officers will begin serving their communities in field offices located in Atlanta, Moultrie, Statesboro, Macon, Cedartown, Savannah, Covington, and Dahlonega.

The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.) certifies each officer at the conclusion of the graduation ceremony.

About The Georgia Department of Community Supervision:

The Department of Community Supervision is responsible for the community-based supervision of more than 200,000 adult felony offenders, and Class A and Class B designated juvenile offenders.

It is the mission of the Georgia Department of Community Supervision to protect and serve all Georgia citizens through effective and efficient offender supervision in our communities while providing opportunities for successful outcomes. DCS employs evidence-based practices to hold offenders accountable and reduce the state’s recidivism rate. For more information, visit dcs.georgia.gov.

Media Contacts:

Brian Tukes, Director of External Affairs

Georgia Department of Community Supervision

[email protected]

470-217-6539

Jamelle Washington, Public Information Officer

Georgia Department of Community Supervision

[email protected]

404-561-4590