Angela Sims of Plains was presented with the Lou Crouch Law Enforcement Scholarship at the completion of the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy Class 20 – 01 recently. Sims earned her Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification from the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy.
The SGTC LEA Class 20-01 group had their semester interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They were unable to finish the program in May because the college was shut down due to the coronavirus. The class was able to resume training in June following special approval from the Technical College System of Georgia and in accordance with state and local COVID-19 guidelines.
Sims has been working in law enforcement as a jail supervisor in the processing area, but she decided that she wanted to do more. That is when she signed up for the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy so she could become POST certified and begin her career as a deputy.
“I am determined to continue my education in law enforcement,” said Sims. “I would like to thank Lou Crouch for this scholarship opportunity. The Law Enforcement Academy training has been very challenging but I didn’t let that stop me. My ultimate goal is to become an investigator to help solve crimes in the community. With this scholarship, I can complete my education and continue to protect and serve the people of Sumter County.”
Lou Crouch of Bryon endowed his first scholarship at South Georgia Technical College in January 2013 to assist students who enrolled in the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy and with Sims, Crouch has provided scholarships for 18 students so far.
“This scholarship is a tremendous help to the young men and women who are training to become public servants and work as law enforcement officers here in Georgia,” said SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird. “This scholarship is not only helping our students but it is making communities safer. We appreciate Lou Crouch’s involvement and financial support of this program and our students.”
For more information about making a donation or establishing an endowed scholarship at South Georgia Technical College contact Su Ann Bird, SGTC Foundation Executive Director at 229.931.2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu. Contributions may also be mailed to the SGTC Foundation, P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA.
South Georgia Tech is one of six technical colleges in Georgia that are allowed to provide training for new law enforcement officers to receive their basic law enforcement training and obtain college credit at the same time. The cadets undergo 18 weeks and over 700 hours of intense training mentally and physically.
The LEA graduates receive their POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certification from South Georgia Technical College as well as a technical certificate of credit that can be utilized toward a diploma or Associate Degree in Criminal Justice.
For more information about the Law Enforcement Academy contact the Law Enforcement Academy office at 229.931.2716 or SGTC Law Enforcement Academy Director Brett Murray at 229.931.2756 or bmurray@southgatech.edu.