St. Petersburg College Offers Free Training To Become Correctional Officer

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — To help fill critical local job demands for correctional officers, qualified applicants can train at St. Petersburg College’s Corrections Academy for free.

Scholarship opportunities are available through the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) as well as SPC’s Rapid Credentialing program, which offers residents displaced by and those at risk of losing their jobs due to COVID-19 the chance to quickly gain skills and re-tool for a new, stable career through full-tuition scholarships.

“We are very excited to partner with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and all the possibilities this presents,” SPC Public Safety Programs Director Michael Dibuono said. “We look forward to working together, filling these immediate vacancies in the workforce and ensuring a safer community.”

Individuals interested in this program should visit now.spc.edu/correctionalofficer to find out if they are eligible for this opportunity and ready to apply.

Students sponsored through PCSO are eligible to receive a salary of $39,220 during the 13-week training and will earn $50,000 a year once they complete the State Officer Certification Exam.

The sponsorship covers academy tuition, books and Florida Department of Law Enforcement certification exams. The agency offers opportunities for special assignments, career development, opportunities for promotion and advancement, and benefits, including life insurance, health insurance, dental and vision insurance, shift differential, Florida Retirement System (FRS), educational assistance, uniforms, and paid vacations, holidays and sick leave.

“The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is excited to partner with SPC to offer scholarships that will take a financial burden off of students as they train to become correctional officers,” Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said. “This money opens the door to a viable career in protection and service to the community.”

Since this certification is recognized statewide, an individual also can attend the Corrections Academy as an “Open Enrollment Student” who is not sponsored by PCSO. Once certification is completed, they will become eligible to fill vacancies in correctional facilities anywhere in Florida.

To be considered for admission to the academy, applicants need to be at least 19 years old and must meet SPC admission requirements and minimum qualifications, including a background check and physical assessment.

At the academy, recruits are trained in correctional operations and procedures, firearms, defensive tactics, first-responder techniques, officer survival, and emergency preparedness.

“Correctional officers are a vital part of our community’s essential workforce,” SPC Dean of Workforce Development Michael Ramsey said. “We are thankful that the governor and the Florida Department of Education have made it possible for us to offer scholarships for this program as a part of the Get There Florida initiative.”

Corrections Academy graduates looking to advance their career can continue their education at SPC seamlessly. All courses are transferable to SPC’s Associate in Science in Criminal Justice Technology degree program, which transfers to the college’s bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Administration.