Training Spotlight Series-Part I

Thomas Training Institute

Since most bondsmen will require continuing education in the up-coming year, I thought I should find out more about our providers. I recently sent all approved private providers a questionnaire. Three providers responded and I will feature each in the order his responses were received. Today, I will cover the first with the others to follow in the next few days.

Thomas Training Institute (TTI), owned by Mike Thomas, is approved to provide continuing education as well as initial basic training for bondsmen and surety recovery agents in Missouri. You can reach Mike at his website, www.thomastraininginstitute.com . TTI will offer classes 2 or 3 times per month for initial basic training and will schedule continuing education classes at your location, contingent upon minimum attendance. Mike Thomas’s education and experience are as follows: Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration with enough credit hours to almost have a master’s degree. He was a police officer for five years in Missouri and has been a private investigator, conducting investigations and skip traces for attorneys since 1990. Thomas has been a bail bond agent since 1996 and a general bail bond agent since 1998. When asked how the bail bond industry could be improved in Missouri, Thomas responded, “There is a perception by the general public and by police that bail bond agents and surety recovery agents are unprofessional, untrained and generally thugs. The only way to change that perception is through education. To be perceived as a professional in any field, one has to train like a professional and act like a professional and dress like a professional. I not advocating dress like ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter.’ Our dress grooming should at all time be neat, clean and professional. I feel that the laws enacted in 2005 are a start, however there are numerous inconsistencies and a lot of vague language that needs to be addressed before we will have what we need.” Thomas also assures companies that bail agent recruiting does not take place in any of his classes.