MONTGOMERY, AL — Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday welcomed 144 Correctional Officer Trainees (COTs) to the Alabama Governor’s Mansion, marking the largest graduating class on record for the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Academy.
The soon-to-be graduates officially completed their training on Thursday, April 3, during a ceremony at the Church of the Highlands campus in Montgomery. The class successfully completed a rigorous 10-week program to earn Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) certification, qualifying them to become full-time Correctional Officers.
Governor Ivey commended the efforts of ADOC Commissioner John Hamm and academy staff, highlighting the significance of the record-setting class size in addressing the department’s ongoing recruitment efforts.
“These 144 men and women are stepping up to answer the call to protect our Corrections facilities and our communities, and on behalf of the state of Alabama, I am proud to thank them and congratulate them,” Governor Ivey stated. “I am thrilled to see the largest class on record and proud we continue strongly recruiting these public servants. Alabama backs the blue, and no doubt, that includes our Corrections Officers.”
During the gathering, graduates expressed appreciation to the governor for her continued support of the department and for recognizing their role in public safety. The ceremony on Thursday is expected to honor the accomplishments of the trainees and acknowledge their commitment to serving in Alabama’s correctional system.
