The Florida Public Safety Institute, through Tallahassee Community College, sponsored a certification program at the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office to present eight individuals as certified corrections training officers.

Seven Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office individuals and one correctional officer from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office completed their 40-hour training on Friday, March 12 at the Emergency Operations Center conference room.

The certification recognizes the performance, expertise and work ethic of the senior detention deputies who take the course.

The certified corrections training officers’ train, through Detention Training Evaluation Program (DTEP), new detention deputies and correctional officer assistants learn all aspects of the jail operation.

Lt. Jimmy Sessor taught the course and the eight individuals receiving certification included: Communications Officer Rachel Love, Sgt. Jason Barksdale and Sgt. Scott Taff of the jail, Detention Deputy Rocky Strickland, Detention Deputy Vicky Hughes, Detention Deputy Ricardo Lopez and Detention Deputy Gibby Gibson. Correctional Officer Andrew Lockett represented the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.

Successfully completing the training is a requirement for all employees.