5 Pinellas Deputy Recruits Complete Corrections Academy Training

PINELLAS COUNTY - On Wednesday, five Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputy recruits were recognized for completing their Corrections Academy training during a graduation ceremony at the St. Petersburg College Allstate Center, according to a news release from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

During the academy, the recruits completed 420 hours of training at the college. Chief Deputy George Steffen presented sheriff's office recruits with their new badges and administered the oath of office to the group, according to a news release from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

The graduates are Richard Burgess Jr., Trace George, Eric Grocke, Nicholas Johnson and Caleb Nagel, according to the sheriff's office.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office offers full sponsorships through the Corrections Academy. If accepted for sponsorship, the sheriff's office will pay academy tuition, books and for Florida Department of Law Enforcement Certification exams, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office said applications for sponsorships are accepted when the detention deputy recruit position is posted on sheriff's website.