PPP Announces First Certified Ground Defense Instructor

The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS) recognizes Cherokee County Agent-In-Charge (AIC) Dinah Foster as the agency’s first Certified Ground Defense Instructor. AIC Foster attended an intensive week-long training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.

Foster said, “The entire week was extremely taxing both physically and mentally. It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I was able to remain focused on accomplishing my goal and representing the agency in the best way possible.”

A few of the certification requirements included:

• completing the Physical Agility Test (PAT) in 1:47 as opposed to the normal passing time of 2:06;
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu style training
• weapon retention and several other defensive techniques
• passing a written and practical exam

“We are so proud of AIC Foster’s accomplishment in completing this very intense training. With her military background and being a former PPP Field Training Officer as her foundation, AIC Foster has again shown that she has the fortitude and intelligence to keep conquering difficult goals,” said Chad Gambrell, Director of the Offender Supervision and Enforcement Supervision.

AIC Foster has over twenty years of law enforcement experience and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina at Spartanburg.