Tulsa Community College Offers New Detention Officer Training Program

The Tulsa County Sheriff's office and Tulsa Community College have teamed up to offer a new training program for detention officers.

The idea came about because of the high turnover rate of people who work in prisons and jails, Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado said.

It's important to increase training and skills as a detention officer because the job evolves, Regalado said.

"We're really operating under the belief that educated equals dedicated, so we're certainly grateful for that partnership," Regalado said.

The sheriff's office approached TCC to find a solution to increase the training and skills for the detention officers who work in the David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center, according to a news release.

The certificate is 15 credit-hours with a concentration on human services courses focusing on psychology, drug addiction and mental health issues.

The sheriff's office, in conjunction with Mental Health Association Oklahoma, worked on creating a path for education and training for detention officers who work with at-risk and mentally-ill populations, the release states.

“This partnership with TCC will provide students with more than just a job at the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, it will provide them with a career path,” Regalado said.

The Corrections Certificate is designed to be completed in one semester as a full-time student or two semesters as a part-time student, the release states.

After completing the program, students have the option to move into a Criminal Justice Associate of Arts degree.

The program will be offered this fall.

For more information, call TCC’s Workforce Development office at 918-595-7976.