Corrections officers complete WSCC certification course.

From left: from left: Jeff Holmstrom (Muskegon County), Brian Pendrick (Lake County), Bobbi Jones (Oceana County), Hildegardo Hinojosa IV (Pre-Service), Sara Phillips (Mason County), Travis Bergquist (Ottawa County), Shelbi Hardenburgh (Pre-Service), Eric Ridout (Muskegon County), Michele Jones (Lake County), Jordan Young (Oceana County), and Hunter Pelham (Manistee County).

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — A group of area corrections officers recently completed West Shore Community College’s Corrections Academy, a Michigan Sheriffs Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC) approved 160-hour certification program for personnel supervising inmates in county jails.

Eleven officers from five counties completed the academy. Two were recognized for their leadership and academic achievement in the corrections academy.

Travis Bergquist of Ottawa County was the top academic student, and Eric Ridout of Muskegon County was selected by his peers for the class leadership award.

“The officers who attended this training were exceptional. The counties are doing a commendable job of selecting their corrections personnel,” said Dan Dellar, WSCC’s Director of Criminal Justice. “We have a diverse group of graduates including pre-service students as well as individuals who are in the already in the field. This offered different perspectives and elevated the dialogue in class.”

First offered in 2010, this is the ninth academy class to graduate from WSCC.  The training was developed to meet local needs communicated by the communities’ law enforcement agencies.

The academy program focuses on providing the skills necessary to maintain safety and security within a correctional facility. During a four-week period, the academy covers booking and intake, correctional law, cultural diversity, custody and security, defensive tactics, ethics, fire safety, interpersonal communications, prisoner behavior, report writing, workplace  harassment, stress management, suicide awareness and first aid/CPR/AED.