Ogeechee Tech Regional
Law Enforcement Academy
Graduates First Class

Pictured left to right (front row), Michael Smith, Lindsey Reddish, Sheila Pounds,
Derrick Dunning, William Sims, Shannon Davis, Johnny Carter Jr., and LEA staff
Shelly Brinkley. Back row (left to right), LEA Instructor, Chris Findley, Daniel Womack,
Jonathan Fadden, Jason Bland, William Bland IV, and LEA Instructor Greg Rabeler.

The Regional Law Enforcement Academy (LEA) of Ogeechee Technical College graduated its first ever class of students on June 17.  The ceremony was held in the auditorium of the Joseph E. Kennedy Building on the College’s main campus in Statesboro.  Eleven students completed the program and each was recognized for their achievement in reaching the end of the intense program of classroom and hands-on training.  According to Greg Rabeler, Director of the LEA, students not only have academic work that is part of the program, they also have practical training in hand-to-hand defense tactics, firing range qualifying, and Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) training.  “Students actually drive retired police vehicles under simulated ‘emergency’ situations, they actually fire weapons at targets, and they physically practice restraining model ‘prisoners’ among other activities,” stated Rabeler.

Colonel Bill Hitchens, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety was the keynote speaker for the graduation.  He encouraged the graduates to dedicate themselves to maintaining a high level of training and education in helping advance law enforcement.  “Law enforcement isn’t a job, it isn’t a career, it is a way of life,” stated Hitchens.  Vice-chair of the Board of Public Safety, Ellis Wood, introduced Hitchens.  Numerous area law enforcement administrators and officers were on hand for the event.  A number of the graduates already have jobs with area agencies.

Ogeechee Tech’s Law Enforcement Academy is located at the College’s Evans County Workforce Development Center in Claxton, and is one of six pilot programs in the Technical College System of Georgia to offer Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) certified training.  In his remarks, Colonel Hitchens acknowledged Ellis Wood’s contribution to bringing the pilot program to fruition.  “As soon as Ellis Wood was appointed to the Board of Public Safety he set about researching what it would take to offer POST training through the Technical College System.  The availability of this local training program is due in no small part to Ellis’ hard work in making it happen,” Hitchens stated. 

A special award was presented to Daniel Womack for the highest academic average, while Jason Bland received the “top gun” award for the highest cumulative score on the firing range.  In comments made following the graduation ceremony, OTC president, Dr. Dawn Cartee, acknowledged the hard work done by many people in helping the Ogeechee Tech Law Enforcement Academy become a reality.  “I can’t start naming names, or I’ll leave someone out, but our Academy is here because of a joint effort of our team at Ogeechee Tech, local legislators and government officials, the Board of Public Safety, and law enforcement administrators in our area,” said Cartee.

LEA lead instructor, Chris Findley, recognized the many adjunct instructors assisting with the program.  “We have had numerous people devote time to helping teach our students, to offer them the most comprehensive level of training available.  We could not do this without them,” stated Findley.

For information on Ogeechee Tech’s Law Enforcement Academy, Criminal Justice, or Forensic Science programs, visit www.ogeecheetech.edu, or call 1-800-646-1316.

Contact: Barry Turner
Executive Director for Public Relations
Phone: (912) 688-6958
Email: bturner@ogeecheetech.edu