14 corrections officer recruits graduate
Sheriff Lew Evangelidis praised the recruits for their hard work.
WEST BOYLSTON » Worcester County Sheriff Lewis G. Evangelidis announced Wednesday the graduation of Basic Recruit Training Academy No. 54, according to a press release from his office.
It is the second class of recruits to graduate from the Sheriff ’s Department training academy during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the release.
The 54th graduating class includes 14 new corrections officers, with four members who are military or still-serving reserv
ists in the Army and Army National Guard. Among the newest class of corrections officers is Officer Scott Borowy of Leominster.
During his tenure, Evangelidis has made significant changes to the hiring standards in order to professionalize the department. All corrections officer applicants must have, at minimum, an asso
ciates degree or at least two years of military service. They must also take and pass a written exam, physical fitness test, background check and psychological screening test. United States military applicants are given priority status in the hiring process.
“Our new officers have met the
highest hiring standards in corrections today and have completed the finest training academy in Massachusetts,” Evangelidis said.
“Corrections is a hard job with significant challenges, our success although difficult to quantify will be measured by the crimes that are never committed in our community,” he added.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, the recruits avoided the formal cadence-style entrance for the presenting of the colors and customary pinning.
Unlike previous ceremonies, there were no invited guests in attendance. Instead, a private, socially distanced and masked graduation ceremony provided by Evangelidis was held on the grounds of the Sheriff ’s Office.
“I am incredibly proud of our new officers, not only did our 54th graduating class persevere through a global pandemic to complete their training but they now enter the field of corrections overseeing the care, custody and control of our inmate population, many who are in the recovery phase from the ravages of an opioid epidemic as well,” Evangelidis said.