Seven corrections officers have graduated from the Clermont County Police Corrections Academy.

The academy’s five-week course, which was held Oct. 9 – Nov. 8, is an obligation that must be fulfilled by all Clermont County corrections officers within their first full year of employment in Ohio jails.

Academy Commander Sgt. Bill Hogue said that the academy is taught by 11 different instructors and covers a wide array of subjects. Students get specialized and intensive training in application of restraints, suicide prevention, inmate cell searches, unarmed self-defense techniques, and standard first aid/CPR among other subjects.

“I would like to congratulate the graduating students on this important first step in their professional careers,” Sheriff Rodenberg said. “I tell every graduating class that the vast majority of those in our jails are good people that have made and are now paying for a mistake.”

Rodenberg, who has been the Clermont County sheriff since 1997, said that those people going through the local judicial process are not incarcerated to be “harassed, intimidated, brutalized, or unduly stressed;” they are to be treated like human beings.

“Corrections officers are the face of the system and that is what is expected of you,” he said.

The graduating class consisted of five new employees at the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office and two officers from the Highland County Sheriff’s Office.

During the ceremony, which was held at the sheriff’s office Nov. 8, Sgt. Hogue awarded academy completion certificates to Steven J. Alexander, Christopher D. Allen, Russell L. Ernst, Howard R. Glancy, Roger Robertson, Jr., Matthew F. Woeber, and Robert B. Young.

Corrections Officer Christopher Allen was awarded the honor of class valedictorian.

“We did it, we made it,” Allen said while addressing his graduating classmates at the ceremony’s conclusion. “We have worked very hard over the past five weeks and our efforts are being rewarded today. You guys have been responsible for motivating me and I would be honored to work side by side with you in any cellblock at any time.”

In addition to praising his fellow classmates, Allen also thanked the academy’s instructors and the sheriff for their encouragement and unwavering support.

“As corrections officers we have the responsibility, the opportunity, and the privilege to be role models,” he said. “We will lead by example – not only in our professional lives, but in our personal lives as well. The training and the skills that we have received from the sheriff and his elite field of instructors will enable us to always do the right thing, for the right reasons, at the right time.

The final examination will be administered Nov. 29 and a score of 70 percent or above is necessary for the students to receive state certification.