Plymouth Corrections Officers Graduate

Release from the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department

Thirty-six new correctional officers were sworn in and presented badges by Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr. during graduation ceremonies Friday.

The officers were the sixth graduating class to complete the Basic Correctional Officer Academy, held at the sheriff’s Plymouth headquarter training facility since McDonald took office eight years ago. The class of new cadets began rigorous training in September and continued indoors and later outside, right up until the afternoon graduation ceremony at the Norwell Community Theatre.

Sheriff McDonald praised the new recruits for the intensity of their training, which combined hours of classroom work with a physical regimen of drills and exercises.

“As you embark on your career in the field of corrections, you can be confident that your weeks of hard work and study have prepared you well,” said McDonald. “I wish you great success as you enter public service.”

The sheriff also told family and friends of the graduates that this year’s class had been the most competitive of his tenure. Only 36 had been able to complete the academy out of more than 450 initial applicants, he noted.

Sheriff McDonald’s remarks echoed the motto chosen by each academy class. “Semper Progredi – Always Forward”

The recruits were pinned with their new badges by officers of the department, along with proud family members.

Friday’s recruiting class will take positions in the jail sometime next week. The influx of new officers will help to address staff shortages at the 1,500 inmate facility. The Plymouth County Correctional Facility, located on Long Pond Road in Plymouth, is the largest such facility in New England, housing county, state and federal inmates and detainees.

Brian Geraghty, Director of Training, said the graduating class is comprised of officers from 20 different communities, including Plymouth, Brockton and Bridgewater. The average age of the graduates is 30 years old, 8 graduates were women, there are 9 officers that have some prior or active military service.