GNTC celebrates new grads from POST program on July 22

Note: The following item was provided by Georgia Northwestern Technical College for publication. – KtE

Friends, family and the community gathered in the Conference Center at Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Gordon County Campus in Calhoun on July 22 to honor 12 students graduating from Basic POST Certification Class #BPC1-2024-07.

The Basic POST Certification (BPC) program is designed to train and prepare graduates for employment as entry-level Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) certified police officers.

The 11-week program is part of GNTC’s Law Enforcement Academy.

Jim Pledger, program director and instructor of the Law Enforcement Academy at GNTC, said in the last 40 years he has worked in law enforcement, “laws, case law, interest in law enforcement as a career, technology and attitudes towards law enforcement officers have changed.”

Pledger told the graduates that he sees those changes happening more rapidly for them.

“It will take those who are dedicated to lead this profession into the future,” he said. “You are the future. To meet that future, I want you to seek advanced training. Seek higher education.”

Megan Baggett served as the student speaker for the ceremony. Houston Henry was presented with the “Top Gun” award for excellence in marksmanship. Mitchell Bandy and Anthony Warrick received the Academic (Honor Graduate) Award for having the highest grade point average.

Graduates recited their Oath of Honor at the conclusion of the ceremony, vowing “On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the Constitution, my community and the agency I serve.”

Graduates of GNTC’s Basic POST Certification Class #BPC1-2024-07 are Megan Baggett, Mitchell Bandy, Kaden Baucom, John Blankenship, Coleton Carlock, Richard Craig, Houston Henry, Caleb Hobbs, Richard Jackson, Jeremy Rice, William Sullivan and Anthony Warrick.

A majority of the graduates are already employed in law enforcement.

Coleton Carlock and Houston Henry are employed by the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Richard Craig, Caleb Hobbs and Anthony Warrick are employed by the Walker County Sheriff’s Office.

Mitchell Bandy, Jeremy Rice and William Sullivan are employed by the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office.

Kaden Baucom is employed by the Calhoun Police Department; Richard Jackson is employed by the Chatsworth Police Department.

Megan Baggett and John Blankenship are pre-service.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths.

This past year, 12,241 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,031 students and an additional enrollment of 4,210 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start. For more information about GNTC, visit us at www.GNTC.edu . GNTC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, as set forth in its student catalog, GNTC complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed or religion, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital status or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). Equity Coordinator, Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 and ADA Coordinator: Brittany Elrod, Walker County Campus, Office Admin 231, 706-764-3832, belrod@gntc.edu .

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