Sheriff and deputy complete training

Jenkins County Sheriff Robert Oglesby, right, and Deputy Wesley Aaron recently graduated from the Augusta Regional Police Academy. (Photo contributed) On Friday, June 29, class #192 graduated from the Augusta Regional Police Academy at the Enterprise Mill Building in Augusta. Jenkins County Sheriff Robert Oglesby and Deputy Wesley Aaron were members of that class.

The graduation was a culmination of 10½ weeks of training, consisting of both classroom and practical exercises. The mandated training consists of 408 hours of basic law enforcement training covering all aspects of job responsibilities for a Georgia Peace Officer, laws of Georgia, emergency driving, firearms training and qualification and many other topics.

Sheriff Oglesby commented to The Millen News that he is happy to have completed the training and received his certification.

"I really never wanted to attend this training, but the law required me to go. I have really missed my family, the citizens of Jenkins County and being able to do the job that I love which is serving Jenkins County as your sheriff. These past 10½ weeks have been hard, but I learned a lot that will help me do a better job, so I guess it was worth it," he said.

Twenty-four candidates were "pinned" with their agencies' badges and handed their diplomas during the ceremony. Lunch for the cadets, families and guests was sponsored by the academy's Advisory Board.

By Georgia law, newly elected sheriffs not previously certified as Peace Officers must attend and complete Georgia P.O.S.T. training for Peace Officer certification within the first six months in office or lose their arrest powers.