Peace Officer Graduates Sworn In

AG Dave Yost Gives Graduation Speech

News

COTC cadets stand in a line between the Licking County Sheriff's and COTC's police academy vehicles in front of the John Gilbert Reese Center on the day of their graduation.

Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) saw 15 cadets graduate from the Peace Officer Basic Training (POBT) program on Friday, Sept. 26. Each cadet successfully passed the state certification exam on their first attempt and were all sworn in as sheriff deputies at the graduation ceremony.

This cohort of cadets was the first exclusively from the Licking County Sheriff’s Office. Two were prior corrections officers, and all graduates were hired by the Licking County Sheriff’s Office to complete the program and replace retired road deputies. Additionally, the sheriff’s office paid for all of their tuition and related expenses. This unique partnership and graduating class were possible due to efforts by COTC’s Dean of Technical Studies Lauren Massie and POBT Commander James Rease.

Attorney General Dave Yost speaks at a podium during the Peace Office Basic Training academy graduation.Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost attended the graduation ceremony to address the cadets and recognize not only their achievements, but also the partnership between the Licking County Sheriff’s Office and COTC.

Four awards were presented to graduating cadets. John McDonald received the Academic Award, Logan Moore received the Top Gun Award, Christian Walser received the Most Dedicated Award, and Tyler McMillen received the Officer Thomas W. Cottrell, Jr. Award for Character and Dedication to Public Service — an award specific to COTC that is presented by the Cottrell family in memory of Officer Thomas W. Cottrell Jr., who was killed in the line of duty while working in the Knox County town of Danville in January 2016. It is the highest honor a COTC Peace Officer Basic Training cadet can receive.

More information about the POBT program, the graduating class or the upcoming January academy can be found at go.cotc.edu/pobt or by contacting James Rease at 614.292.0850 or rease.4@mail.cotc.edu. To learn more, register for a POBT program information meeting at cotc.edu/visit.

COTC is a fully accredited, public college dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible programs of technical education in response to current and emerging employment needs. COTC has four campus locations: Newark, Coshocton, Knox and Pataskala.