2 days ago
Westminster resident among Worcester County Sheriff's 16 new correctional officers
The Worcester County Sheriff's Office graduated 16 recruits from its Basic Recruit Training Academy, according to a community announcement.
Among the graduates is Kurt Krakane of Westminster. The ceremony took place at the department's Training and Command Center in West Boylston.
The Sheriff's Office aims to ensure public safety across Worcester County and values building a team that reflects the community's diversity. The graduates come from nine different towns in Massachusetts, and six are either active members or veterans of the U.S. Army.
The academy offers a paid, full-time program lasting 13 weeks, designed to equip recruits with the skills needed to manage and maintain the care, custody and control of inmates at the Worcester County Jail & House of Correction. The program includes both classroom instruction and hands-on training.
Recruits undergo extensive training in various aspects of corrections, including de-escalation techniques, the duty to intervene, fire safety, defensive tactics and first responder protocols. They also receive education in suicide prevention, mental health issues and substance abuse awareness.
In addition, recruits engage in daily physical fitness sessions, take weekly assessments on classroom material and benefit from regular guest lectures and demonstrations provided by a range of public safety partners.
'After 13 rigorous weeks of training, I present the best and brightest in corrections today,' said Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. 'The Worcester County Sheriff's Office Training Department is one of the best in the state, and I can confidently say that these individuals are ready to join the ranks as full-time corrections officers and contribute to successfully executing our mission. Congratulations to these graduates as they begin their new careers.'
Before starting the academy, applicants must complete a written exam, a physical fitness test, a background check and a psychological screening. To ensure fairness and impartiality, Evangelidis has implemented a policy that prohibits letters of recommendation from politicians and gives preference to hiring individuals who have served in the military.
The Worcester County Sheriff's Office is accepting applications for its 64th Basic Recruit Training Academy, which will begin in September 2025. To learn more about what it takes to be a correctional officer, visit
This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team.
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Westminster man graduates Worcester County Sheriff training academy
