13 graduate from latest GNTC Basic POST Certification class

Friends, family and the community gathered in the conference center at Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Gordon County Campus in Calhoun on March 26 to honor the 13 graduates in Basic POST Certification Class #BPC1-2024-06.

The program is designed to train and prepare graduates for employment as entry-level Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council-certified police officers. The 11-week program is part of GNTC’S Law Enforcement Academy.

“When you put on that badge and you get into that vehicle you represent every citizen in your community, the elected officials and your family. You have a tremendous opportunity, but you also have a tremendous challenge,” said Rome Mayor Craig Mcdaniel, former president of GNTC. Mcdaniel was the event’s featured speaker.

Jesse Bond served as the student speaker for the ceremony. Joseph Taylor was presented with the “Top Gun” award for excellence in marksmanship, and Sawyer Sharp received the Academic (Honor Graduate) Award for having the highest grade point average.

Graduates recited their Oath of Honor at the conclusion of the ceremony, vowing “On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the Constitution, my community and the agency I serve.”

A majority of the graduates are already employed in law enforcement.

Bobby Feagans and Jadyn Norton are employed by the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Dakota Maddox and Damien Neelley are employed by the Murray County Sheriff’s Office.

Matthew Creighton and Haden Templeton are employed by the Walker County Sheriff’s Office.

Savannah Roberts, Sawyer Sharp and Joseph Taylor are employed by the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office.

Cristian Peinado is employed by the Dalton State College Police Department.

Jesse Bond is employed by the Whitfield County Fire Department.

Tyler Chastain and Amadou Diaw are pre-service.

GNTC Graduating from GNTC’S Basic POST Certification class on March 26 are (front row, from left) Matthew Creighton, Bobby Feagans, Jadyn Norton, Savannah Roberts, Jesse Bond, Cristian Peinado; (back row) Sawyer Sharp, Dakota Maddox, Tyler Chastain, Amadou Diaw, Haden Templeton, Damien Neelley and Joseph Taylor.

GNTC Sawyer Sharp (left) accepts the Academic (Honor Graduate) Award for having the highest grade point average from Jim Pledger, program director and instructor of GNTC’S Law Enforcement Academy.

GNTC Joseph Taylor (left) accepts the Top Gun award for excellence in marksmanship from Jim Pledger, program director and instructor of GNTC’S Law Enforcement Academy.