FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 8, 2014

CONTACT: Peter Van Delft
(617) 704-6682

SHERIFF TOMPKINS, DEPARTMENT WELCOME THE ARRIVAL OF 46 NEW OFFICERS

Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins with the members of COTA Class 14–01 at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel.

Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department recently welcomed 46 new officers into the corrections profession during the Department’s graduation ceremony held at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel.

As part of the Department’s Correction Officer Training Academy (COTA), the officer candidates in Class 14–01 participated in a 12–week training that tested them physically and mentally as they completed instruction in subjects that included ethics and professionalism, suicide prevention, the use of force continuum, firearm safety and handling, inmate education and programming, contraband control, courtroom testimony, CORI and inmate rights and responsibilities, fire safety, CPR, sexual harassment, cross–gender supervision and report writing, among others.

Speaking directly to the friends and families of the soon–to–be–sworn officers before delivering the Correction Officer’s Oath, Sheriff Tompkins shared his perspective about the importance of working in corrections and also his expectations for the graduates sitting before him.

“We want you to know that we appreciate your support, because it has meant a lot to these men and women over the past 12 weeks,” said Sheriff Tompkins. “To the officers: you are outstanding. You will help the Department to be great. We know that we’ve trained you to be the best and we expect you to strive to be the best. You’re now part of our family here at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department.”

“Corrections is the often forgotten arm of law enforcement,” Sheriff Tompkins continued. “But, what we do here is of the utmost importance. We have the ability to shape and change lives in a positive way that can impact whole families, whole communities, and I look forward to working with every one of you toward that goal.”

Offering his sentiments about Sheriff Tompkins after congratulating the graduates – four of which will be members of his Department – Norfolk County Sheriff Michael Bellotti said, “Sheriff Tompkins had proven himself to be a leader even before his appointment as sheriff, and he’s a leader that you can continue to be proud of.”

Prior to the badge pinning ceremony at the conclusion of the event, special recognition was given to graduates Christopher Le for the Academic Excellence Award, Michael Gallo for the Defensive Tactics Award and also for the Physical Training Award, Daniel Price for the Top Gun Award, Khalid Riley for the Academy Unit Citation, and Nadine Powell for the Drill Instructors Award.

Members of COTA Class 14–01 are: Daniel Schmitt, Lukasz Grochowski, Giovanni Cook, Jamal Cofield, Melinda Brown, Nekeya Mayhew, Nicole Callahan, Yanisa Rodriguez, Sabat Tejeda, Daniel Evans, Leroy Osborne, Colleen Dolan, Nadine Powell, William Blalock, Jeffrey Smith, Jonathan Correia, Corey Thomas, Thomas Szalno, Mary Ashley, John Wescott, Cory Young, Casey Bellis, Danielle Nessralla, Emmanuel Boursiquot, Aaron Pelletier, Anya–Lauren Pierre Louis, Jomo Dillon, Benny Chow, Cristina Doherty, Jeffrey Mitchell, Matthew Layden, Nathaniel West, Robert Lawless, Russell Cheney, Ramon Mejia, William Federico, William Hickey, Kyle Moon, Ryan Hunt, Ryan Quigley, Cliff Desrosena, Michael Magbagbeola.

Of the 46 new officers, 42 will be stationed at the House of Correction. The other four – Chow, Doherty, Layden and Lawless – will serve at the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Department.

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