GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS | BCOT TRAINING OVERVIEW 
 
Basic Correctional Officer Training (BCOT) Overview 
 Mandated training of Correctional Officers set forth and required by Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST); all Correctional Officers must be Peace Officer certified 
 Provides basic training for Correctional Officers to help better prepare them to perform and accomplish the mission of protecting the public, victims of crime, and agency staff 
 Largest basic law enforcement training program in the state 
BCOT HISTORY AT STATE OFFICES SOUTH AT TIFT COLLEGE  First BCOT class started December 16, 2009 
 186 cadets graduated from BCOT T01 class on January 28, 2010   
 Since  inception, through Calendar Year (CY) 2013, 7,117 cadets have graduated 
 Average 15 classes per calendar year 
BCOT TRAINING COURSE  Five week course, 240 hours  Paramilitary Structure model  32 hours of firearms training  Ten practical examinations  Eight written tests  First week of training is taught in the field, remaining four weeks are taught at the Academy  Physcial training every morning for the remainder four weeks of training  Cadets reside on campus during their training and only return home on weekends 
BCOT PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS Cadets are tested on the following areas 
 Firearms  Count Procedures  Contraband  Vehicle Search  Pat Search Cell Search  Perimeter Security  Fire Safety  Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)  Defensive Tactics 
 
BCOT TRADITIONAL LEARNING TOPICS  Introduction to Criminal Justice & Corrections  Legal Issues & Liabilities  Ethics  Inmate Supervision  Mental Health  Report Writing  Introduction to Hispanic Culture  Interpersonal Communications  Human Diversity  Emergency Response 
BCOT CAREER PROGRESSION & ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Correctional Officer Opportunities 
 Basic Mental Health Officer  Basic-Intermediate-Senior Drill & Leadership  Correctional Emergency Response Team Basic (CERT)  Tactical Squad Basic  Semi-Auto Transition  Judgmental Use of Deadly Force  Less than Lethal Training (OC, Pepperball. Shock 
Shield) 
Correctional Supervisor Advance Coursework & Training Opportunities 
 Basic Management Training (BMT)  Advanced Management Training (AMT)  Corrections Leadership Institute (CLI)  Professional Management Program (PMP)  Command College  Deputy Wardens Academies  Pre-Command Course 
Post BCOT Training  Upon graduation, officers return to assigned facilities  Officers must maintain 20 hours of training per year  Officers are required to attend In-Service Training at assigned training site.