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The program will provide extensive training with hands-on experience for those who are interested in pursuing a career as a correctional officer.

This new eight month-long program comes in response to the critical shortage of correctional officers throughout Tennessee. Gov. Bill Lee’s office, along with representatives from Tennessee Board of Regents and Tennessee Corrections Institute, developed the program and it is being implemented in areas of the state that have been identified as having the most urgent need for trained correctional officers.

Program Instructor David Gulley brings both military and law enforcement experience to the program. During his years in law enforcement, he has held many positions such as K9 officer, field training officer, SWAT, accident reconstructionist, instructor, and supervisor. Gulley has a desire to teach and train those new to criminal justice and other law enforcement related fields. He has degrees in criminal justice including a master’s degree from Liberty University and a bachelor’s degree from Bethel University.

“We are fortunate to have an instructor with such an extensive background in law enforcement who has a heart for teaching. We are excited about this new program offering and the impact it will have on supplying trained correctional officers to the area,” Said TCAT Morristown President Susanne Cox.

Gulley says that with this program in place, sheriff departments in the region will be able to hire well trained, qualified individuals. “We have multiple sheriff’s departments already on board with us who are in dire need of individuals to work. The school does help with job placement so once these students are about to graduate, they’ll be in touch with our local departments and they’ll come in and tell them what they have to offer and hopefully hire them.” Gulley said.

Gulley went on to explain that the program is ideal for those who want to get some experience in the field but don’t yet meet the age requirements for the academy, “We are really targeting the 18-21 year-olds who aren’t yet old enough for the academy but want to start a career in law enforcement. This is a good place to get in and get training and get some years under their belt and then move up to working patrol,” Gulley said.

The program will cover many aspects of criminal justice and corrections such as ethics, defensive tactics, crime scene investigation, mental health and first aid as well as firearms, including taser and OC (pepper) spray, handcuffing, dealing with inmates, cell extractions, patrol and much more.

Students will train in a state-of-the-art MILO simulator where they can be put through real life scenarios.

Those scenarios will be jail scenes, traffic stops, crime scenes, hospitals, schools, and more. The simulator will be used for firearms training, report writing, investigations and basic communication skills.

Students who complete the program and meet all requirements will receive a preliminary Tennessee Corrections Institute Basic Training Certification, and Gulley says one of the appealing aspects of this program is its hands-on approach to learning. “For those who don’t want to go sit in a classroom and write paper after paper, this is going to be hands-on on-the-job training getting you ready to go straight to work,” Gulley said.

TCAT Morristown is enrolling students for the Fall 2023 trimester which begins September 5. Individuals interested in enrollment can find the application under the admissions tab on their website TCATMorristown.edu.