Graduation held for Correctional Employee Initial Training class No. 224
In a March 16 ceremony, the Delaware Department of Correction graduated and assigned 29 employees from its Correctional Employee Initial Training academy. The graduates took the oath of office and received their assignments in front of family, friends and DOC officials. CEIT class No. 224 consisted of 25 correctional officers, two correctional counselors, one paralegal, and one c/o physical plant maintenance mechanic. The ceremony featured remarks by DOC Deputy Commissioner Alan Grinstead, training staff, and Chaplain Gus Christo, and inspirational words from class speaker Correctional Officer Lanett Tucker. It also included presentation of the Outstanding Cadet Award to Correctional Officer Allen Boult.
Members of CEIT class No. 224 completed 10 weeks of training, including hands-on and classroom sessions in a multitude of capacities. Areas of concentration included inmate supervision, weapons and chemical munitions, defensive tactics, emergency preparedness, report writing, behavioral health training, CPR/Basic First Aid and interpersonal communication. They will now join the ranks of more than 2,500 employees who uphold the department’s mission of protecting the public by supervising nearly 7,000 adult offenders in facilities throughout the state.
Grinstead commended the graduates for choosing careers in law enforcement and encouraged them to be accepting of change. “You’ve made the choice to join our department at a critical point in our history. We are undergoing significant changes in the way we operate, communicate, and appear. For some of us with decades of service, this isn’t easy,” he said. “However, when we look at the past and recall our experiences, we see opportunities for growth and improvement. As you continue your career in corrections, we challenge you to embrace change, appreciate the relationships you form, and look at each day as a chance for a new beginning.”
The instruction team for CEIT Class No. 224 consisted of primary instructor Brian Lewis, instructor Matthew Hopp, and drill instructors Amos Callaway and Andrew Krzanowski.
The alphabetical list of graduating cadets is Willis Baynard, Allen Boult, Autumn Bryant, Karyokie Conway, Floberto Delva, Elvis Enongene, Cheron Gamble, Logan Hamm, Hassan Jackson, Jermaine Jefferies, Carmen Jimenez, Tyler Jiorle, Tyler Kromka, Ernest Louis II, Keith Lovette, Connor Mansfield, Evictus McMillian, Logan Messick, Trasina Miller, Matthew O’Connell, Jacob Payton, Adam Pierce, Kia Postell, Tres Roberts, Michael Taylor, Michael Thompson Jr., Lanett Tucker, Geoffrey Walker and Thomas Wilson.
