Security officer becomes
Certified Protection Officer
-- GSD Safety and Security Services, July 2003

DAS security officer Toumany Sako has achieved the designation of Certified Protection Officer, a designation recognized nationwide, after completing the highest of three levels of officer training.

Toumany, who works in the Ohio Department of Education building at 25 S. Front St., is among many officers employed by GSD Safety and Security Services taking advantage of online training courses through the High Impact Training Solutions Institute. The training was created to provide security officers with career development training and certification.

After completing each of three steps of the training, GSD officers receive a ribbon to be worn on their uniform above their name tag. A solid red ribbon indicates completion of the 8-hour Entry-Level Protection Officer training; a yellow ribbon indicates the completion of 8-hour Basic Protection Officer training; and a gray and blue ribbon indicates the completion of the 90-hour Certified Protection Officer training. Radio operators, after completing the 40-hour Telecommunicator Series, wear a black ribbon.

Officers who have completed the Basic Protection Officer training are Marion Bowers, Walter Caldwell, Robert Christman, Phillip Fitch, Henry Grooms, Johnny Marks, Mark Phelps, Percy Rose, Kevin Slate, James Smith and Frank Wiredu.

Officers who have completed the Entry-Level Protection Officer training are Charles Amos, Carl Brugger, Alfonso Dye, Hollis Hamilton, Amy Lowry, Paul Martin, Kasey Nappier, Laura Nicodemus, Robert Peed and Calvin Simmons.

In addition, radio operators Hamilton, Nappier and Peed completed the Telecommunicator Series. Hamilton and Peed also became certified by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials after passing that organization's certification test.