Alan Syler was recognized during Tuesday’s Covington County Commission meeting for completing classes in the Alabama Jail Academy.

Sheriff Dennis Meeks said that he is very proud of Syler and that he has four other officers in the academy right now with one ready to finish within the next week.

“I wanted to have more people doing it because this training is important,” Meeks said. “We have it set up when one officer finishes the training, another one goes into it, and so we will have a continuous rotation that will work with everyone’s schedule.”

Syler completed classes in officer responsibilities, inmate management, searches and use of force and corrections law and policies.

The National Institute for Jail Operations developed the curriculum, with advice and assistance from the Alabama Sheriffs Association and the Association of County Commissions of Alabama Liability and Workers’ Compensation Insurance Funds.

The program is linked with the Safety Incentive Discount Program. The county has to have two correctional officers attend a minimum of three AJTA courses to earn an insurance discount.

Syler, who is jail administrator, said that he enjoyed the classes and he is glad that more officers are participating.

“Training is a top priority here at the sheriff’s department,” Syler said.

The County Commission also:

• Considered a contract with Zuercher to provide and maintain a server and software for the sheriff’s department.
• Approved surplus of vehicles in the Emergency Management Agency and sheriff’s department.
• Awarded a bid to the courthouse for an x-ray machine.
• Approved the purchase of new software for the probate office.