July 28th, 2010
HCSO graduates first dispatchers from academy

Front, left to right: Lt. Dennis Gutierrez, Michael Burkhart, Brandy Reuter, Kati Thornbrugh, Kristen Castillo, and Erica Carpenter. Back, left to right: Chief Deputy Sherman Brodbeck, Karen Sibley, David Marshall, Eric Scantlebury, Jeff Borroum, Manny Olivas, and Sheriff Tommy Ratliff.

STAFF REPORT

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) recently implemented its emergency communications officer academy. The very first graduation ceremony for the nine new dispatchers was celebrated last week at the Whitaker/Miller Fire Station No. 1 in Kyle.

The eight-week academy consisted of the required certification training necessary to perform the job of emergency communications operator. The increase in manpower at the HCSO led the agency to start the academy. The alternative was to arrange for training at other agencies.

The class was opened to other area law enforcement agencies, which sent students to various classes that were offered during the eight-week academy. The HCSO dispatchers were the only students who attended the full course.

The nine new dispatchers now begin a three-month communications training officer program for additional hands-on training.

The newly trained dispatchers include Karen Sibley, David Marshall, Eric Scantlebury, Jeff Borroum, Manny Olivas, Michael Burkhart, Brandy Reuter, Kati Thornbrugh, and Kristen Castillo.

Hays County Sheriff Tommy Ratliff was on-hand at the ceremony and congratulated the graduates. He thanked them and their families for their dedication to Hays County and its citizens.