Watkins employee of month

Correctional Officer James Watkins has been selected as January employee of the month at the Tamms Correctional Center in Tamms.

The warden’s office at Tamms said Watkins was selected for the honor based upon his commitment, positive attitude, team work, professionalism and versatility.

Watkins is assigned to the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift at the Tamms C-Max Unit.

Watkins is a certified member of the tactical unit. He is routinely called upon to serve as the tactical unit team leader.

Watkins is certified as a tactical unit instructor for the State of Illinois and a certified instructor for combined tactical systems for less-lethal munitions.

He is a part-time sworn police officer for the Jonesboro Police Department.

He is attending Police Training Institute classes to be certified through the Illinois Law Enforcement and Training  Board as a sworn police officer.