10/16/2026
MCSO is pleased to announce the recipient of the JAILCON26 Southern Regional Corrections Professionals award for Detention Officer of the Year is none other than our very own, Sgt. Nia Odom! 🎉
Sgt. Odom has excelled in her time as a Field Training Officer and has demonstrated a passion for giving officers the best techniques and helping them understand policy. She strives not only to develop staff professionally but also to enhance their quality of life as a member of MCSO’s Peer Support Team, a team meant to prioritize the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of staff members by intentionally engaging in supportive conversation and creating spaces where staff express themselves without judgment.
Sgt. Odom has organized several events and outings to celebrate with staff and to provide a time to bond with each other. These bonds establish a sense of belonging to a greater effort, which in turn helps officers make the decision to stay with this agency and work towards greater development within the agency.
To that end, Sgt. Odom loves to combat negativity and does this by exuding positivity in the detention sphere at the start of every shift. After our rollcall meeting or shift briefing in the morning, Sgt. Odom sends a personalized message of encouragement to every staff member working that day via email. In these morning messages, she regularly encourages staff not to “Suffer in silence,” and to utilize services to assist with any personal challenge. Sgt. Odom has recognized the need for discussion surrounding men’s mental health in the law enforcement profession. She sent a very educational and supportive email directly encouraging the men at the agency to seek support in coping with stress.
Sgt. Odom’s actions thoroughly reflect many hats she wears at MCSO, including morale builder, event planner, Field Training Officer, Peer Support Officer, and retention officer. Sgt. Odom received this award because she goes above and beyond daily to improve her fellow officers’ professional and mental well-being.
Congratulations, Sgt. Odom!
