LUCAS COUNTY, OH (Toledo News Now) - Thirteen Lucas County corrections officers are now proudly wearing a deputy sheriff's badge, after graduating from the Peace Officer program.
Wednesday, a ceremony was held to recognize the new officers, who took it upon themselves to pay for and make time for the classes.
All 13 officers went to school for four hours a day in addition to their 8 hour shifts at the jail in order to become a deputy sheriff.
Lucas County Sheriff John Tharp says it became clear through conversations with these corrections officers that they desired to become deputies. So much so, they went to school after work and paid $5,000 plus to complete the program.
Tharp says he is proud of these officers, who worked hard for eight months. The officers are now able to do the duties of a deputy sheriff.
“They work in the jail, they will go back to their original jobs, but now they will have the opportunity to bid on jobs throughout the Lucas County Sheriff's Office. This is a career ladder for them, they're taking steps in the right direction,” said Tharp.
Tharp says the last group to graduate did so 10 months ago.
