New Corrections Officers Graduate from Academy

The Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy celebrated the graduation of 17 Southern Maryland correctional officers at a ceremony held April 11 at the Charles County Government Building.

The 17 correctional officers completed a 10-week training program which began Feb. 4. Ten of the graduating officers joined the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, six joined the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and one joined the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office.

At the ceremony, Academy instructors presented awards to students who excelled in two categories. Arturo Silva of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office earned the scholastic award, having achieved a 97.3 grade point average. Cassimira Gillingham of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office earned the physical fitness award, scoring 702 out of 800 possible points.

The class boasted a 93.9 final class academic average. Their class motto, chosen by the students at the beginning of the training program, was “Pain is temporary. Pride is forever.”

Charles County Administrator Paul W. Comfort, Esq., was the keynote speaker for the ceremony.

Ed Schauf of the Legal Studies Department at the College of Southern Maryland spoke about the articulation agreement between the Academy and the College, which provides each graduate with six college credits toward a criminal justice degree.

Charles County Sheriff Rex Coffey, who delivered the invocation and benediction, also shared remarks with the graduates.

Calvert County Detention Center Director Milton Crump spoke on behalf of Sheriff Mike Evans, president of the Academy’s board of directors, and Lt. Michael Merican, commander of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office’s Corrections Division, spoke on behalf of Sheriff Timothy Cameron. The class speaker, C/O Cassimira Gillingham, also shared remarks.

The Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy congratulates the following correctional officers:

Charles County
Devin Arends
Jacob Campbell
Kevin Conley
Robert Donnelly
Andre Garmon
Dale Harrison
Nelson Lara
Katrina Ray
Arturo Silva
Susan Travers