Six local law enforcement officersearn Masters in Criminal Justice at Troy Univ.

After a year of hard work in their off-duty hours, five Washington police officersand a Wilkes County Sheriff's deputy have earned their Master of Science degrees in Criminal Justice.

Chief Mike Davis, Assistant Chief Theodosia Glenn, Lt. Robert Roca, Lt. J.D. Nelson, Cpl. Sallie Tankersly, and Deputy Jamie Bridges graduated Saturday evening in Troy University graduation ceremonies at First Baptist Church in Augusta.

The officers took part in Troy University's accelerated graduate cohort program, which is designed for full-time working adults, offering convenient courses in the local area. The program, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, allows a group of students working toward the same degree to be instructed at a local venue, making it easier to attend classes.

"We did a two-year program in one year," Chief Davis said. "Troy set up classes here at the high school two nights a week, and we did it. It really wore us out, doing a two-year program in a year, but we did it."

"It was hell," said Washington Police Investigator Lt. J.D. Nelson, "for a single dad with two kids, and a more than full-time job like mine can be, it was a solid year of working like hell to get it all done."

Their Troy University advisor, Dr. Allen Lowery, says that the program is designed to work with working people, including police officers. "With the challenges facing police officersnow, they know the better educated they are, the better able they are to make the right decision in high-stress situations," he said. "That's what drove these Washington officersto get their bachelors with Troy, and to go right on and get their postgraduate degrees."

To have so many officers in a small department graduate is a little unusual, Dr. Lowery said, but "it speaks very highly of the leadership of Chief Davis to pursue this effort, and of the city leadership, to pursue and complete a graduate degree in criminal justice."

Davis thanked city officials and Troy University instructors for working with the officersto gain the flexibility to attend classes. "We were able to leave class to go do police work when we needed to, and that made a big difference."

The local classes were held at Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School. "I have to thank Principal Steve Echols for giving us a place to meet two nights a week for the past year."

Troy University's accelerated graduate cohort program, Lowery said, can be used for any group of fiveto seven or more working adults who want to pursue the same postgraduate course of study. "We'll send a professor out to a location such as Washington, which makes more sense than six or seven people driving all the way to Augusta. We're very interested in making the opportunity for education as convenient as possible."

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