Department of Correction graduates its 216th academy
In a ceremony held Nov. 23, the Delaware Department of Correction graduated and assigned 30 employees from its Correctional Employee Initial Training academy. The graduates took the oath of office and received their assignments in front of family, friends, DOC officials and Gov. Jack Markell. CEIT class No. 216 consisted of 25 correctional officers, two correctional counselors, one correctional K-9 officer, one teacher and one paralegal. The ceremony featured remarks by DOC Commissioner Robert M. Coupe, Markell, training staff and Chaplain Gus Christo, and inspirational words from class speaker Correctional Officer Al-Tariq Hobbs. It also included the presentation of the Outstanding Cadet Award to Correctional Officer Ashlee Burbage.
Members of CEIT class No. 216 completed nine weeks of training, including hands-on and classroom sessions in a multitude of areas. Areas of concentration included inmate supervision, weapons and chemical munitions, defensive tactics, emergency preparedness, report writing, substance abuse training, CPR and 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.
Coupe commended the graduates and provided words of encouragement as they begin their law enforcement career. "By choosing a career of public service you have dedicated yourself to making an impact on the lives of others, and we are grateful you have selected the DOC to fulfill your life of service," he said. "You leave here today with the physical courage and the moral courage to succeed. Believe in yourself as we believe in you."
Markell reminded the new officers of their important role in protecting the public and supporting the rehabilitation of offenders under their supervision. "All of you have a critically important role to play; not only through your responsibilities to protect public safety and ensure the security of inmates and staff, but also in helping to guide offenders on a better path," Markell said. "You're in a unique position to recognize their individual needs and opportunities and potential, and I encourage you to use your training and your own abilities to help inmates learn needed lessons and pursue opportunities during their time in custody to achieve their full potential when they re-enter our communities."
The instruction team for CEIT Class No. 216 consisted of training educator Phil Lawrence, Cpl. Keenan Hutchins, Cpl. Scott Lindell and Lt. Dean Edge. The graduating cadets are, in alphabetical order, Ashlee Burbage, Brandon Comegys, Osci Conley, Arneisha Coverdale, Kevin Dunn, Rene Ekote, Amos Felton, Yetta Fisher, Adriana Garbati, Correctional Counselor Melisa Gonce, Correctional Officer/K-9 Katharine Griffith, De'Quan Hickson, Kimberly Hiller, Al-Tariq Hobbs, Terry Hood, Joseph Lawson, Correctional Counselor Kirsten Mcallister, Naquan Montgomery, Richard Oquendo, Jared Payton, Nickolas Potter, Alan Rosenberger, Rachel Rowe, Christopher Sapp, Gregory Short, Nathaniel Weir, Joshua Wilkinson, paralegal II Leslie Williams and Timothy Young.
