Shrewsbury – Worcester County Sheriff Lewis G. Evangelidis has announced the graduation of Basic Recruit Training Academy #50. The most recent academy class, comprised of 21 new correctional officers, includes Officer Douglas Caldwell of Shrewsbury.
During his tenure, Evangelidis has made significant changes to the hiring standards in order to professionalize the department. All correctional officer applicants must have, at minimum, an associate’s 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.
“With over 6,200 inmates going through the jail doors each year, we look for the best individuals we can find to make our community a safer place and to ensure the public safety of our citizens,” he said. “Our new officers have met the highest hiring standards in corrections today and have completed the finest training academy in Massachusetts.”
During the formal graduation ceremony, among the traditions that were observed was as a badge-pinning where the new officers were “pinned” into their new profession by a family member.
“All 21 graduating officers should be very proud, as they demonstrated hard work and dedication over the 12-week academy in overcoming the challenges presented. I look forward to working with each and every one of them,” said Evangelidis.