Department of Community Supervision Celebrates Graduation of 53rd Basic Community Supervision Officer Training Class

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS) is excited to announce the successful graduation of its 53rd Basic Community Supervision Officer Training (BCSOT) class on Thursday, October 19th, at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in Forsyth, Georgia. The ceremony commemorates the certification of 21 dedicated graduates as Community Supervision Officers by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.).

Throughout an intensive nine-week training program, the BCSOT Cadets underwent rigorous instruction and preparation for their vital roles within the Department. Upon completion of the BCSOT, these newly minted officers acquired an impressive 320 hours of comprehensive training, encompassing an array of essential skills, including supervision techniques, investigation procedures, intervention strategies, Georgia law, policy and procedure, interview skills, physical fitness, arrest procedures, defensive tactics, computer interaction, enhanced supervision procedures, and firearms qualification.

During BCSOT, the aspiring officers faced academic, mental, and physical challenges that tested their commitment to protecting the citizens of Georgia. 

“These officers have shown an admirable amount of commitment to the mission and have embraced the Department's values. I have complete confidence that the values learned during this rigorous course prepared these new officers to excel in this challenging and rewarding career,” said Lori A. Massengale, Director of Training and Professional Development.

Class President Zykeria Williams delivered a speech at the ceremony that resonated deeply with their fellow graduates. “Over the past nine weeks, we have all leaned on one another and helped push one another to make it to the end of our beginning. We are not the same individuals that we were nine weeks ago; We have grown and will continue to grow personally and professionally."

This graduation ceremony not only signifies the completion of the Basic Community Supervision Officer Training but also marks the beginning of a new chapter in the careers of these officers. The Department of Community Supervision looks forward to witnessing the positive impact they will undoubtedly make in their communities and within the organization.

During the graduation ceremony, several graduates were honored for their outstanding performances in various proficiencies. The distinguished honorees were:

• Academic Award - Brandon Reed (Savannah Office)
• Team Competition - Yellow Team: Reon Lyle (Dekalb); Mollie Matviyenka (Rome); Brandon Reed (Savannah); Alexia Padilla (Lafayette)
• Physical Fitness - Reon Lyle (Dekalb)
• Top Gun - Brandon Reed (Savannah)
• Leadership - Brionna Flint (Newnan)
• Adjunct Instructor - Keondra Bonner (ESP unit)

The new officers will serve their communities in DCS Field Offices as follows:

Jordan Alexander - Fayetteville Office

Charles Ball - Dallas Office

Susana Benitez - Aleman Waycross Office

William Caruthers - Columbus Office

Courtney Donaldson - Savannah Office

Brionna Flint - Newnan Office

Tashawna Gotchett - McDonough Office

Matthew Harris - Winder Office

Justin Hollis - Savannah Office

Tenia Holloway - Dublin Office

Isabel Lazenby - Henry County Probation

Nicole Lewis - Canton Office

Reon Lyle - Dekalb Office

Mollie Matviyenka - Rome Office

Alexia Padilla - Lafayette Office

Brandon Reed - Savannah Office

Martin Vasquez - Claxton Office

Matthew Vickery - Winder Office

Adam White - Augusta Office

Zykeria Williams - Dublin Office

Kimberlyn Woodard-  Macon Office

About The Georgia Department of Community Supervision:

As an integral part of the criminal justice system, we protect and serve the state of Georgia through effective and efficient community supervision while providing opportunities for successful outcomes.

For more information, visit dcs.georgia.gov.