BCOT Graduation in West Tennessee

RIPLEY – On Friday, September 14, 2018 the Tennessee Department of Correction welcomed the next generation of correctional officers into our workforce.  The ceremony consisted of 14 Correctional Officers who will be serving our locations in West Tennessee at Northwest Correctional Complex (NWCX) in Tiptonville, Tennessee and West Tennessee State Penitentiary (WTSP) in Henning, Tennessee.

The special speaker for the event was NWCX Warden Shawn Phillips.  Phillips spoke to the class about the integrity you must have to do the job.  “We take integrity for granted and to me it means do the right thing even if nobody is watching.  You will be put in situations where your integrity will be tested, but stay true to yourself and you will do fine.  A real test is how you treat someone who can’t do anything for you,” said Phillips.  “This job can be a challenge but it is rewarding too and you will see that.”

During their weeks of training the class learned leadership, listening, teamwork and defense skills.  Special awards were given to those who excelled at obtaining the skills:

·         The Top Gun and Firearms Award went to Officer Joseph Dyszczakowski (NWCX)

·         The Academic Award went to Officer Jalen Beatty (NWCX)

·         The True Grit Award went to Officer Toby Hays and Officer Prentasia Terrell (NWCX)

·         The physical fitness award went to Officer Brandon Phillips (NWCX) and Officer Deborah Elter (WTSP).

o   Officer Elter also received the Superintendent’s award which came with a $5,000 scholarship to Bethel University

The class also worked on a community service project which resulted in donating $625 for Ripley Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.