Sheriff's Office offering Citizen's Academy

DAYTON–The Columbia County Sheriff's Office will offer its 2023 Columbia County Sheriff's Citizen's Academy, a 14-session, 12-week course for 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis, at Fire District No. 3's training room each Friday at 6-8 p.m., beginning April 7, 2023 through June 23, 2023.

There is no cost for the 14-week course, except each person is asked to commit to attend each of the 14 classes. The minimum age is 18 and a background check will be completed on the applicants prior to acceptance into the class.

Since 2007, the Citizen's Academy's purpose is to educate the public about the criminal justice system, crime prevention, and serve as a means to strengthen the citizen/police partnership to make the community a better and safer place to live. The overall goal is to gain support and understanding of police work by explaining the operations of the Sheriff's Office with the hope that participating citizens will gain a greater understanding of police work and procedures as opposed to the enforcement portrayed on television, movies and social media.

The curriculum includes an overview of Public Education and Outreach, Sheriff's Posse Program, Search and Rescue, Court Procedures, Handling Sex Offenders, Boating, Substance Abuse and Youth, Street Weapons and Officer Safety, Tour of County Jail and Dispatch, Patrol Procedures, Personal Safety–Defensive Tactics, Prosecuting Crime, Criminal Investigations, Drug Enforcement, Crime Prevention, Use of Force/Defensive Tactic and Range Day at the gun range.

There will be hands-on presentations including observation of firearms training and a ride-along with a deputy.

Potential participants may apply at the Sheriff's Office, through its Facebook page, or an application may be requested via e-mail or fax by calling 509-382-3982. Completed applications can be hand-delivered or mailed to the Sheriff's Office at 341 East Main Street, Dayton.