Department of Community Supervision Celebrates the Graduation of the 69th Basic Community Supervision Officer Training Class

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS) is excited to announce the successful graduation of its 69th Basic Community Supervision Officer Training (BCSOT) class. The ceremony was held on Thursday, September 24th, at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in Forsyth, Georgia. The ceremony commemorated the certification of 29 dedicated graduates as Community Supervision Officers by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.).

As they graduate, these officers represent the Department’s ongoing commitment to public safety, accountability, and professional excellence. Throughout the eight-week program, they have strengthened essential skills in supervision and evidence-based practices that support behavior change. They also gained a deeper understanding of Georgia’s legal framework and the core values that guide DCS in its mission to enhance public safety and support successful outcomes for those under our supervision.

“This graduation recognizes the hard work and dedication these officers have invested in preparing for a career in community supervision,” said Jim Sikes, DCS Training and Professional Development Director. “As they transition from the classroom to communities across the state, they will put the training received into practice while helping individuals navigate supervision, encourage positive change, and keep public safety at the core of their work.”

Class Leader Tamyia Smith, of the Southern Circuit, spoke on behalf of the class, remarking on their journey to graduation and their futures ahead:

“As we move forward into our careers, I hope we never forget where we started and the people who started this journey with us. We may all go in different directions, work with different people, and face different challenges, but we will always share the experience of being Class 69.”

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

Academic Award - Katherine McKenna (Gwinnett Circuit)
Team Competition Award - Orange Team - Bryce Gadson (Blue Ridge), Ansley Childs (Enotah) Suzannah Herndon (Ocmulgee), Tamyia Smith (Southern)
Physical Fitness Award - Travis Castleberry (Columbia)
Firearms Proficiency Award (Top Gun) - Ryan Bennett (Waycross)
Leadership Award - Tamyia Smith (Southern)
Adjunct Instructor Award - Kevin Phillips (Strategic Implementation Unit)

The new officers will serve their communities in the following locations:

Jessica Abbot - Mountain Circuit

John Arnett - Dublin Circuit

Ryan Bennett - Waycross Circuit

Lafrankie Boler - Southern Circuit

Travis Castleberry - Columbia Circuit

Ansley Childs - Enotah Circuit

Christopher Daubert - Western Circuit

Charly Elder - Gwinnett Circuit

Joia Ferguson - Gwinnett Circuit

Christi Flannigan - Ocmulgee Circuit

Bryce Gadson - Blue Ridge Circuit

Porsche Giboney - Atlanta Circuit

Taylor Gruwell - Eastern Circuit

Suzannah Herndon - Ocmulgee Circuit

September Hightower - Ocmulgee Circuit

Devin Howard - Atlanta Circuit

Kameryn Howe - Chattahoochee Circuit

Jar-Quez Johnson - Eastern Circuit

DeAndre Littleton - Atlanta Circuit

Jordan Martin - Atlanta Circuit

Taylor McGhee - Tifton Circuit

Katherine McKenna - Gwinnett Circuit

Jeremy Nelms - Brunswick Circuit

Kendall Oliver - Southern Circuit

Lawrence Omonua - Flint Circuit

Tamyia Smith - Southern Circuit

Jaaurrie Taylor - Southern Circuit

Johna Zeiger - Northeastern Circuit

Aileen Zuniga - Gwinnett Circuit

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.