SAVANNAH – The fourth cohort of Savannah Technical College Peace Officer Academy students will hold its completion ceremony Tuesday in the Eckburg Auditorium on the Savannah Campus, 5717 White Bluff Rd.

Of the 21 graduates, 13 are already affiliated with an area law enforcement agency including Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, Hinesville Police Department, Garden City Police Department, Darien Police Department, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office as well as Savannah State and Georgia Southern University Police.  

In keeping with tradition, each class selects a fallen officer to honor. This class is named in honor of Michael Larson, a 10-year officer with the Bryan County Sheriff’s Department, killed in the line of duty Dec. 10, 2006. Graduating students will award commemorative coins cast in Sgt. Larson’s honor to his wife, Lisa, and to family members in attendance.  

Savannah Technical College is one of six technical colleges in the state offering this program of study. The program is an 18-week Technical Certificate of Credit in Basic Law Enforcement that provides training for those seeking certification through the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST). Students are selected through a competitive application process including a criminal background check and medical exam as well as meeting minimum scores on the college’s placement exam.

Peace Officer Academy courses are offered during the day with plans to expand to an evening class as demand grows. For information about upcoming classes, contact Claire Pimentel at (912) 443-5191 or cpimentel@savannahtech.edu