Jail Training Officer (JTO)

The Jail Training Officer’s primary goal is to prepare the newly hired trainee to perform at an acceptable level and become an asset to the jail division. During this process, the JTO will train, observe, and evaluate the progress of each trainee. The mission of each JTO is to give each trainee the utmost opportunuty to succeed in his training, correct the trainee when mistakes are made, and maximize the safety of the trainee. In addition, this is the JTO’s introduction to leadership and advisory skills. This 40-hour training course will provide the JTO the knowledge and skills required as they prepare for future supervisory positions.

Employees of Georgia’s Sheriff’s offices serving as jail officers, demonstrating excellent knowledge of jail operations and exhibiting a desirable work ethic and commitment to excellence, possessing very good interpersonal skills and a willingness to train newly appointed jail officers, are excellent candidates as part of their respective facility’s Jail Training and Evaluation Program.

Upon passing the test and meeting the employment requirements, the student may apply for his JTO Certification through POST.

Pre-requiste: The student must be a P.O.S.T. certified jail officer with a minimum of three years jail officer experience, with the past year serving with your current agency.

Hotel Accommodations must be sought by the student, requesting the hotel’s government rate. Recommended hotels are:

• Class begins promptly at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, September 11th at the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, and concludes no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 15th.
• A student must attend 95% of the course to receive P.O.S.T. credit and apply for JTO certification. Therefore, a student is dismissed from the course if more than two hours of the course is missed.
• A written test scoring 80% or higher, AND passing the final practical, is required to pass this course. If the student fails the test or the practical, P.O.S.T, rules dictate a retest is NOT optional nor will the student receive credit for the course. The course must be attended in its entirety again.
• Dress is business casual; no t-shirts. Jeans are allowed if neat and in good repair. Remember, you are a professional jail officer representing your sheriff’s office.
• Bring pen and paper, and a positive attitude.
• Each student will receive a copy of the JTEP Administrative Trainee Manual, JTO Student Manual, and other identified documentation.

• You must pre-register by completing the online registration form below.
• Registration deadline is August 28, 2023.
• Class is limited to 20 students.

Registration

Training

The Onsite Coordinator for Dawson County is Lieutenant Theresa Kirby. She may be reached via email at tkirby@dawsoncountysheriff.org or phone 706-344-3535.

Visit this page after August 28, 2023 for additional details about the class. Essential details may include a tentative agenda, training materials, changes to class location or registration/training times, or other important information.