Ten Parole Officers Graduate Eight Week Training Course
November 4, 2011;
Atlanta, Ga. - The State Board of Pardons and Paroles’ 53
rd Basic Parole Officer Training Course (BPOTC) graduation ceremony was held at the
Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in Forsyth today. Ten new Parole Officers are now on
duty across the state.
Board Member L. Gale Buckner delivered the commencement address. She told the graduates they
have the tremendous responsibility of restoring offenders to productive citizens. “Everyone needs
second chances and some need three and four chances. It takes courage to work with them and change
their non-productive life patterns,” said Buckner.
Parole Officers are classified as Georgia Peace Officers and must successfully complete an
eight week Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.), Basic Training
Course.
Course work includes supervision techniques, investigation procedures, intervention
strategies, criminal and Georgia law, Parole Board policy and procedure, interview skills, physical
fitness, arrest procedures, defensive tactics, computer interaction and firearms qualification. The
training includes certification to use a Board issued service weapon.
The Parole Board employs approximately 300 parole officers. Caseloads per officer average
75-85 parolees. Parole Officers work to transition offenders back into the community using a
balanced approach of surveillance and treatment intervention. Parolees in Georgia report at
least once a month and in addition, parole officers make scheduled and unscheduled visits to the
parolees’ residences, employers and treatment providers to ensure compliance.
The ten new officers will begin work in the following locations: Adairsville, Albany,
Clarkesville, Cordele, DeKalb, Dublin, Lafayette and Atlanta (South Metro Office).
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