Law Heroes United Training Corrections Academy Graduates 25 Officers from 11 Agencies
ASHLAND — The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division celebrated the graduation of 25 new corrections officers this week as part of the annual Law Heroes United Training Corrections Academy, hosted each October inside the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Annex.
Sgt. Josh Early, who helps oversee the academy, said the collaborative training brings together agencies from across northern Ohio.
“The Law Heroes United Training Corrections Academy consists of 11 agencies,” Early said. “It is an OPOTA training that is required for all corrections officers during the first year of employment at their current facility. The training goes through all the essential responsibilities of a corrections officer in a jail facility.”
This year’s graduating class included officers representing Ashland, Richland, Huron, Medina, Wayne, Lorain, Knox and Holmes counties, as well as the City of Bay Village and Multi-County Correctional Center.
Strong Regional Partnerships
Wayne County Sheriff Thomas Ballinger said his agency has proudly participated for well over a decade.
“Approximately about 15 years,” Ballinger said. “It’s a collaboration with the two other counties — Richland and Ashland — and we border Ashland County. It’s a good partnership between the agencies. Geographically, it just makes sense to send our people here.”
He praised the quality of instruction and professionalism of the academy.
“They put on a good academy and bring back good product when they graduate,” he said.
Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon said regional cooperation has strengthened training opportunities for everyone.
“We’re very thankful that we’re able to split. In the spring, we do a corrections officer’s class. In the fall, Ashland County does a corrections officer’s class, which I think we’ve done for 20 years,” Sheldon said. “We have four of our corrections officers who went through this class. We’re very, very thankful to have a partnership with Ashland.”
Sheldon said the training — roughly 160 hours — is a statewide requirement through OPOTA and must be completed within one year of employment.
He expressed appreciation to Ashland County Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider and his staff.
“I appreciate Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider and his staff putting on this academy, which is a huge benefit to all of us,” Sheldon said. “The relationship that the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office has with each other is phenomenal and we work well together.”
Following the ceremony, graduates and guests were treated to a picnic-style meal — cheeseburgers and hot dogs served by Ashland County Sheriff’s Office personnel inside the Sheriff’s Annex building.
The Law Heroes United Training Corrections Academy continues to play a key role in preparing new officers to safely and professionally serve inside Ohio’s correctional facilities.
