Rutherford County Correctional Work Center Sergeant Thad Oclaray Receives National Designation

Rutherford County – TN (03/27/2024)  Rutherford County Correctional Work Center’s Sergeant Thad Oclaray recently received the national designation of Certified Jail Officer (CJO) by the authority of the American Jail Association through its Jail Manager Certification Commission.

This certification is granted upon the successful completion of a rigid experiential background application and an intensive examination jointly prepared by the American Jail Association and the Jail Manager Certification Commission. Certification in jail operations demonstrates competency and professionalism in the field, indicates a strong level of knowledge in the specialty and recognizes continuing education and growth.

Oclaray has worked in the field of Corrections for 11 years at the Rutherford County Correctional Work Center. He has served 10 of those years as a supervisor in various positions, from Facility Training Officer to Corporal to shift Sergeant. He currently holds the position of Facility Training Coordinator. In 2022 Oclaray was awarded Training Officer of the Year by the Tennessee Corrections Institute.

Oclaray is originally from Hawaii where his background was in Corporate Management and Training.

The American Jail Association is a national, nonprofit, educational organization that delivers professional development, personal certification, and advocacy services to correctional personnel at all ranks and operational levels in the nation’s 3,500- jails and detention facilities. It is the only association that focuses exclusively on issues affecting today’s jail professionals. The five-member commission is appointed by the association’s Board of Directors and administers the Certified Jail Manager and Certified Jail Supervisor programs, in addition to the CJO programs; sets policy; and assures the three programs reflect the changing needs of the profession.