Dover, DE – In a ceremony at the Central Administration Building, the Delaware Department of Correction graduated 14 cadets from the Basic Officer Training Course (BOTC). The graduates were sworn in as Probation Officers in front of family, friends, and DOC officials. Additional participants of the class include Bureau of Community Corrections Officers: Joseph Adkins, Ty Hudson, David Baiori, Aaron Farmer, Matt Wright, and Juvenile Probation Officer Keith Johnson. These officers gained certification in the DOC Community Weapons Program. Today’s ceremony included remarks from Commissioner Rob Coupe, Chaplain Rory Russell, BOTC 15 Primary Instructor Captain Jodie Hunter, and class speaker Jahaira Torres. Commissioner Coupe recognized the families of each graduate and thanked them for the support and encouragement shown to the cadets over the ten-week training academy. The academy provided a foundation of knowledge, skills, and techniques required to effectively supervise and manage adult offenders in the community. Among the topics addressed are conditions of supervision, offender assessments, victim services, weapons training, defensive tactics, offender contact, substance abuse training, and CPR/Basic First Aid. Commissioner Coupe congratulated the graduates and provided inspiration to the group as they embark upon their career in law enforcement. “Public opinion may sway back and forth, but right and wrong do not,” said Coupe. “You must have faith in yourselves and believe in the difference you can make in the future of those individuals you are entrusted to supervise and the influence you can have on the future of our Department.”