Investigator Zach McCurdy graduates Mississippi’s first Crimes Against Children course

Investigator Zach McCurdy is among 11 law enforcement officers who recently completed Mississippi’s first Crimes Against Children Certified Investigator Course at MLEOTA, the office said in a Facebook post.

The office said the four-week course produced the state’s first — and currently only — investigators holding this certification. The graduates join a small number of similarly trained investigators nationwide, the post said.

Each of the 11 officers volunteered for the specialized training, which the office described as demanding but critically important. The Facebook post said the certification will help the investigators protect Mississippi’s most vulnerable children.

MLEOTA, the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy, provides training programs for state and local officers. Officials and community advocates say specialized training in crimes against children can improve investigations and victim outcomes by equipping investigators with skills focused on interviewing, evidence collection and trauma-informed practices.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.