Dallas, GA – The National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO) is pleased to announce that Captain Keith Thomas, Assistant Jail Administrator, at the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, GA, is the first individual in the State of Georgia to earn all 3 levels of NIJO national professional certification (National Certified Corrections Executive-NCCE; National Certified Corrections Supervisor-NCCS; and National Certified Corrections Officer-NCCO.  This is a significant achievement representing a total of 261 training hours, completed in person and online through NIJO’s Detention and Corrections Online Training Academy (DACOTA). 

NIJO’s certification program is a rigorous, multi-tiered process designed to elevate the standards of jail management and operations. Captain Thomas’s achievement reflects not only personal excellence but also serves as a model for correctional professionals nationwide.

“This achievement underscores the critical important of investing in training and certification for correctional professionals,” said Tate McCotter, Executive Director of NIJO. “Through Captain Thomas’s leadership and commitment, we are reminded of the critical role training plays in advancing jail safety, operational efficiency, and legal compliance. We are immensely proud to recognize this major accomplishment.”

The NIJO certification program has become a gold standard for professional development in corrections, offering correctional professionals the tools and knowledge to navigate the increasingly complex legal, operational, and administrative challenges in today’s jails.

Captain Thomas stated, “Corrections is an honorable and demanding profession that calls for a unique type of individual—someone who possesses unwavering dedication and resilience to work inside a jail each day. In this field, we witness and experience situations that many would find unimaginable. We wear many hats to tackle the diverse and complex challenges that arise, all while maintaining the safety, security, and welfare of those under our care.  Operating a jail represents one of the highest liabilities for a sheriff’s office because it involves safeguarding human lives. The professional certifications and training I have pursued have equipped me and my jail to proactively address these challenges, strengthen our operations, and mitigate potential liabilities. I hope this inspires others in our field to pursue continued education and professional growth.”

Captain Thomas has demonstrated his commitment to professional growth and to elevating the standard of operations at his jail by not only achieving all 3 levels of certification but also graduated from NIJO’s intensive 5-day ELITE Academy for Jail & Detention Command Staff (Class #6). 

NIJO invites correctional professionals across the country to participate in its national certification programs and join the growing network of leaders committed to excellence in jail operations.

For more information about NIJO’s certification programs, visit www.jailtraining.org.