Moultrie Tech Criminal Justice Program Recognized by State Peace Officer Council
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Moultrie Technical College Criminal Justice program instructors Brandon Back, far left, and Neal McIntyre, far right, celebrate with their recent graduates at the college’s semi-annual commencement ceremony held in December. These graduates are now eligible to receive career development credit through the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council for the law enforcement-related education they obtained at Moultrie Tech. |
MOULTRIE , GA. Moultrie Technical College’s Criminal Justice Technology program was recognized in December by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council as the equivalent of similar traditional college classes in the law enforcement field making MTC graduates eligible for the same career development benefits and distinctions.
In a letter to Moultrie Tech, Ryan Powell, director of the certification and training standards division of POST, commended Moultrie Tech’s efforts to assist the law enforcement community.
According to Powell, education credits for the POST Career Development Program, also referred to as the Advanced Certification, for intermediate, advanced, supervision, management and executive certification require a minimum number of quarter hours or the semester equivalent from an accredited college or university.
Neal McIntyre, MTC Criminal Justice instructor on the college’s Tifton campus, says, “The requirements of these certifications blend together specific in-service training classes offered through the South Georgia Regional Police Academy or through the training complex in Forsyth and core Criminal Justice classes [offered at colleges]….”
McIntyre notes that working officers prefer to enroll in the core classes at MTC due to the convenience of local campuses and online studies and the flexibility of class schedules.
Powell says that while the POST Council encourages both training and education, its mission is in the arena of training peace officers. He adds that it is up to the colleges and universities to educate them.
To receive credit, an officer will simply be required to attach an official transcript from Moultrie Technical College as proof of the required education credits when applying for a career development certification through POST.
Powell wrote that POST will recognize MTC’s classes as being the equivalent of traditional college classes since the Council on Higher Education Accreditation recognizes the college’s Council on Occupational Education accreditation.
MTC Criminal Justice program chair and Moultrie campus instructor Brandon Back commented, “In this field, college credits are required for advancement as The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council acknowledges the importance of education coupled with proper training. Our recognition by POST opens the doors of advancement for local law enforcement officers who may not be able to travel out of town for college courses. In the words of Lt. Jerry Green, head of the Colquitt County Drug Task Force, ‘[This] is great news for Moultrie Tech.’”
McIntyre says, “This issue has been one that has repeatedly generated a substantial amount of interest among the various law enforcement agencies that we serve. As such, this acknowledgement will benefit the law enforcement agencies and the officers that they employ tremendously. Credit for this acknowledgement has to be given to our advisory committee for their guidance and direction on this initiative.”
For more information on Moultrie Tech’s Criminal Justice degree, diploma and certificate programs, log on to www.moultrietech.edu or call (229) 891-7000 in Moultrie or (229) 391-2600 in Tifton.
Contact: Jana Wiggins, Moultrie Technical College, Director of Marketing
(229) 217-4139 or (229) 891-7000
OR
Neal McIntyre, Moultrie Technical College, Criminal Justice instructor
( 229) 391-2649
Email: jwiggins@moultrietech.edu OR nmcintyre@moultrietech.edu
