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Nine cadets from Class 104 graduated from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) Detention Academy on Nov. 6 at the George Gardner Performing Arts Center in Holbrook. The cadets included Jeffrey Brown, Christopher Stapley, Brady Nowell, Clayton Yazzie, Tyler Gould, Tessia Roanhorse, Christine Yazzie, Donna Yazzie and Fernando Ochoa.
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Introducing the speakers and cadets was Lt. Lea Petersen. In attendance was Sheriff K.C. Clark, Chief Deputy Randy Moffitt, Deputy Chief Ernie Garcia, Deputy Chief David Clouse, Lieutenant Dennis Warren and Recruit Training Officer Amber Naha.
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Petersen opened the ceremony by saying, “This has been a long eight weeks, and at some point I think the cadets questioned whether they would make it through, but with the support of family and staff, we are all here today ready to go forth and meet the challenges of being a detention officer.”
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Clark’s speech was bittersweet as it will be the last graduation he will attend as the Sheriff. “I want to thank the staff and instructors for putting this together. It takes a lot to put the academy together.”
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To the cadets, Clark said, “I appreciate you choosing Navajo County. It is a tough, tough job; you have to wear so many different hats as a correction officer. I saw a couple of you yesterday and you seemed afraid. You should never be afraid of me; you should never be afraid of your sergeant; you should never be afraid of your lieutenant or any of the command staff; there is no reason to be afraid. You should respect us, but never be afraid. We are there to make sure you succeed, and that’s what I want for everyone of you.”
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Clouse was given the honor of keynote speaker during which he shared, “Being in law enforcement has been my most fulfilling job. It makes you feel like you are standing for something and making the world a better place.”
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As the class speaker, Ochoa said, “We made amazing memories that will last a lifetime.” To the staff and teachers, he said, “Thank you for your words of wisdom and guidance.”
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Special achievement awards were presented by Warren and Naha to the following cadets: Gould received the Highest Grade Point Average award; Brown received the Most Improved Academic award; Nowell received the Physical Fitness award; and Ochoa received the Best All-Around Cadet award.
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In a follow-up interview, Petersen said that the staff used the empty juvenile detention area to hold the eight weeks of classes at the jail. “Previously we had been using the Maricopa Academy in Phoenix to train our cadets,” continued Petersen, “but this time we had enough cadets to put it on ourselves, which saved us money.”
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Moffitt shared, “These cadets are outstanding individuals that want to begin their career in law enforcement. The knowledge they gain while working in a correctional facility will only enhance their careers in law enforcement; it is invaluable.”
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Moffitt went on to say that detention officers learn to use persuasion skills and wisdom as their main tools to bring a quality of care, custody and control to the inmates. “I started as a detention officer and the skills I learned only enhanced my career in law enforcement.”
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Petersen added that being a detention officer has been her job for the past 20 plus years. “It’s a career that has enabled me to raise a family. I love my job. You get to work with the best people that are just like family.”
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Class 104 had an extra advantage this time by being able to have hands-on experience within the jail while training. “With every academy there has been a wealth of experience passed on,” said Petersen. “We had awesome instructors from the Sheriff’s Office, Holbrook Police Department and the County Attorney’s Office.”
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During every academy, the class participates in a community outreach program. Sometimes it has been cleaning up the levee or a food drive. This year, the cadets assisted with repairing and adding onto the chicken coop for the Bread of Life Mission.
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Petersen said the average span of a detention officer is about two years, which requires the department to be open for new applicants. Some cadets go on to become patrol officers, while others go to other agencies, and others find the job just isn’t for them.
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For Nowell this is his dream come true. “I have always wanted a career in law enforcement and I like the jail.”
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Gould said he was continuing a family tradition with his grandfather and brother both working in law enforcement. “The best part of the academy was the teamwork and how we worked together to pull through. We are one big family.”
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Roanhorse readily admitted what attracted her to the job was the salary and benefits, which include health and dental as well vacation pay, sick pay and personal days.
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Because of the ongoing need for detention officers, the NCSO is always accepting applications. Among the requirements to apply are a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license and a clean background check. From there applicants must pass a written and physical test as well as oral boards.
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