AMERICUS — Two recent graduates of the South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Law Enforcement Academy had high words of praise for the professional staff and instructors associated with the college’s Law Enforcement Academy. They also showed their appreciation for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) staff that helped support them during their 18 weeks of study to receive the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification.

Harry Charles Brooks II of Americus and Joseph P. Able of Americus landed their dream jobs with the Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Department of Campus Police and Safety as police officers shortly after graduating from SGTC’s fifth Law Enforcement Academy class in December 2010.

“The Law Enforcement Academy at South Georgia Technical College provided me with a solid base of knowledge about the law enforcement field. I have the utmost respect for Maj. Brett Murray and Chief Vanessa Wall and all of our other instructors,” said Brooks. “They taught us the various duties required for the job, respect for the career, and I am honored to be a member of the law enforcement field.”

Able echoed Brooks’ statements and added, “Enrolling in the SGTC Law Enforcement Academy was one of the best decisions of my life. It has allowed me to secure what I call a dream job. I can work in the law enforcement field and also have the opportunity to continue my education at Fort Valley State.”

Brooks, who is the son of Sumter County Commissioner Andrea Brooks, is interested in continuing his education at FVSU as well. He actually attended college at Fort Valley State University in 1995 through 1997 and was studying mass communications.

 “I feel like being able to work at Fort Valley State University is a second homecoming for me. I love it,” he said.

After Brooks left FVSU, he came to SGTC and studied accounting. He returned to SGTC again several times before earning his associate degree in marketing management. He went to work for Habitat for Humanity in that field, but when the organization downsized in 2009, he came back to SGTC and worked part-time in the ACE Lab tutoring students. In 2010, he enrolled full time in the Law Enforcement Academy.

Brooks laughed saying, “I have a complete history with South Georgia Tech and Fort Valley State University. I studied under two presidents at South Georgia Tech, and now I will have studied and worked under two different presidents at Fort Valley State.

“I really can’t say enough good about South Georgia Tech, the Law Enforcement Academy and WIA,” said Brooks. “The training was tough, but that’s what it is designed to be. The academy took good men and women and made us better men and women.”

Able added that in his opinion, “the South Georgia Tech Law Enforcement Academy is a great program and one that anyone who is interested in law enforcement should definitely give a consideration.”

Able, who is originally from Washington, D.C., moved to Atlanta and lived there for five years before he learned about SGTC and came to school here. He originally enrolled in the medical assisting program in January 2009. He left that program and enrolled in the emergency medical technician field at the Crisp County Center campus and attended for two quarters before he switched to the Law Enforcement Academy.

“I feel like I found my passion when I entered the Law Enforcement Academy,” said Able. “I love it. The job at Fort Valley State University is the best job I’ve ever had, and I would like to thank South Georgia Tech for giving me the opportunity to find my passion.”

Both Brooks and Able also took advantage of the Workforce Investment Act, or WIA, opportunity to help with school related expenses. WIA is a federal program that assists students with books, uniforms, tools, and tuition, and provides a stipend for students enrolled in one of the 19 different program areas available on the South Georgia Tech campus.

Those programs, in addition to the Law Enforcement Academy, include air conditioning technology, aircraft structural technology, auto collision repair technology, automotive technology, aviation/avionics technology, diesel equipment technology, electronics technology, industrial electrical technology, industrial mechanical systems, industrial systems technology, machine tool technology, practical nursing, welding and joining technology, and commercial truck driving. Limited enrollment is also allowed for accounting, electrical lineworker apprentice, drafting and emergency medical technician.

To apply for WIA, individuals must be a current student of SGTC or have been accepted by SGTC and be enrolled in a program that WIA accepts. Students must have applied for financial aid, meet income eligibility and meet suitability standards. Recipients much also live in the Middle Flint Regional Development Center (RDC) area of Crisp, Dooly, Macon, Marion, Schley, Sumter, Taylor and Webster counties.

For more information about WIA at South Georgia Technical College, contact Sandhya Mulijibhai or Minnie Williamson at 931-2172 or visit the office at 110 in the Odom Center building at SGTC.

Students who may be interested in law enforcement should contact South Georgia Technical College now. The Law Enforcement Academy is currently recruiting students for its next class, which begins May 16. The deadline to apply is April 15. To enroll, students must be a U.S. citizen, have a high school diploma or GED, be at least 18 years old, have no felony convictions and pass a comprehensive background check, which includes fingerprints, criminal history, driver’s history and drug screening. Students must also complete a medical exam and possess good moral character.

For additional information, call 931-2716 or e-mail Sandy Alford at salford@southgatech.edu. On-campus housing is available and the Hope Grant and Pell Grant are available to assist with tuition.

South Georgia Technical College offers more than 90 different degree, diploma and technical certificate of credit opportunities. To apply for spring quarter, contact the admissions office today at 931-2760 in Americus or 229-271-4051 in Cordele. Spring quarter begins April 5.