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Jail Commission Watches Cadet Training

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By JOSH POLTILOVE and MIKE WELLS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 29, 2008

TAMPA - Several members of a commission designed to independently review Hillsborough County's jail system observed the final training exercises cadets receive before becoming detention deputies.

Commission chairman Jim Sewell, who went to a training session Wednesday, said he came away impressed.

"It gives them a chance to really learn from more than just being in a classroom," he said.

Sewell watched as cadets were run through a scenario on controlling a cell block where multiple incidents occur at the same time.

"The folks they have doing the role-play as inmates are seasoned corrections officers," he said. "It's a great educational experience."

Commission members Ray Velboom and Brian Kensel also attended the training exercises Wednesday, Sewell said.

Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee created the independent commission after the release of an Orient Road Jail surveillance video showing a detention deputy dumping a quadriplegic man from a wheelchair.

The video led others to step forward and allege they were abused at the jail.

Led by Sewell, the former assistant commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the 11-member commission is expected to study policies, practices and procedures used at the Orient Road and Falkenburg Road jails. The commission will file an initial report by May 9.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691 or jpoltilove@tampatrib.com Reporter Mike Wells can be reached at (813) 259-7839 or mwells @tampatrib.com.

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