Sheriff Evangelidis Swears-In Seventeen New “Worcester County Strong” Correction Officers at Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Graduation Ceremony

Worcester - Worcester County Sheriff Lewis G. Evangelidis recently welcomed seventeen new correction officers to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office during a graduation ceremony held on June 13th at Worcester Technical High School.

Tewksbury resident, Officer Edward Donovan was part of the 39th Graduating class of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Basic Recruit Training Academy. The group were the fourth class to graduate under Sheriff Evangelidis’ new increased hiring standards which he introduced shortly after taking office. The new class of recruits also referred to themselves as “Worcester County Strong” in honor of the Boston Marathon bombing victims.

Prior to being sworn in by Sheriff Evangelidis, the graduates were congratulated by special guest and former Worcester County Sheriff John M. Flynn. “All of you here today have an enormous responsibility to public safety not as judge or jury but as keepers of the jail, always remember to demonstrate professionalism, ethics and the highest standards as correction officers and as members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department.” said former Worcester County Sheriff John M. Flynn.

Also of particular note at the Graduation Ceremony was the recognition of retiring WCSO Assistant Deputy Superintendent Lawrence P. Sullivan. Deputy Sullivan began his career with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office in 1980 and served thirty distinguished years. Assistant Deputy Superintendent Sullivan was responsible for overseeing the WCSO Basic Recruit Training Academies training over 800 correction officers during his career, including this most recent class.

“I am extremely proud to recognize the retirement and 30 year distinguished career of Assistant Deputy Superintendent Larry Sullivan, especially today as we celebrate the graduation of the 39th BRTA. During his career, Deputy Sullivan ran the finest corrections academy in Massachusetts overseeing the hands on twelve week training of over 800 new correction officers. Today’s graduating class is again a true demonstration of his professionalism and training expertise, we wish Deputy Sullivan all the best during his retirement.” said Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis.

Since taking office, Evangelidis has made significant changes to the hiring standards in order to professionalize the department. All correctional officer applicants must have, at minimum, an associates degree or at least two years of military service. They must also take and pass a written exam, physical fitness test, background check and psychological screening test. Evangelidis also implemented a new policy that prohibits the acceptance of letters of recommendation from politicians.

“Today, we welcome the seventeen new recruits of the 39th Graduating Class of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office also known as “Worcester County Strong.” This civic minded group of new correction officers named in honor of the Boston Marathon bombing victims are now extremely well prepared to enter into the difficult and noble profession of corrections.” Evangelidis continued “This job is not an easy one, we have a responsibility to both the citizens of Worcester County and for the daily care, custody & control of our inmate population while working together to release more productive citizens into society. Our success although difficult to quantify, will be measured by the crimes that are never committed.” said Worcester County Sheriff Lewis G. Evangelidis.

During the twelve week academy recruits are taught to handle the daily challenges of safely keeping the care, custody, and control of inmates incarcerated at the Worcester County Jail & House of Correction. Classroom topics include legal issues, mental health in a correctional setting, staff/inmate interaction, security/emergency procedures, interpersonal communication skills, and use of force regulations.

In addition, instructors use hands-on training to teach defensive tactics, fire safety, use of restraint, searches, driver training, and weapons qualification and physical fitness is held daily. Students are also quizzed on policy weekly and recruits must maintain an academic average of at least 70 percent in order to graduate.

“All seventeen of you graduating here today should be very proud, as you have demonstrated hard work and dedication over the past twelve weeks to have conquered this challenging accomplishment.” said Evangelidis.