Sheriff's office holds Citizens Sheriff's Academy

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for its fifth Citizens Sheriff’s Academy (CSA) starting March 5. 

The CSA is a 12-week program designed to introduce and educate citizens to the various law enforcement practices and procedures of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. These practices include criminal investigations, laws and the court system, patrol division, drug task force, tactical response unit and other special units of the sheriff’s office.

Citizens will also tour the county jail, ride-along on patrol with a deputy sheriff and receive basic firearms safety training on the firearms range. The academy is open to anyone 18 or older who lives or works in Shelby County.

All applicants to the program are subject to a criminal background check and a driver’s license check conducted by the sheriff’s office as a condition for acceptance into the program. Classes will be held every Thursday evening from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Training Center at the end of McDow Road in Columbiana.

The class size is limited to 20 students. For CSA registration information visit the Sheriff’s Office website at myshelbyso.com. For additional information regarding the CSA, contact Lt. Clay Hammac at chammac@shelbyso.com. The deadline to apply is Feb. 24, 2015.