Get a first-hand look at life as an officer in new Citizen’s Sheriff’s Academy

Shelby County residents will soon have the opportunity to learn the details of daily operations at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) when the department launches its Citizens Sheriff’s Academy on March 7.

The Academy is designed to introduce to and educate citizens on the law enforcement practices and procedures of the Sheriff’s Office, such as those involving criminal investigations, the drug task force and the tactical response unit.

“It is a program we’ve been trying to develop for several years,” Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry said. “Its primary benefit to citizens will be to educate them on ways to be helpful within the law enforcement community.

“We want to acquaint them on what our job actually entails.”

This initial session of the Academy will meet every Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m. for 12 weeks, concluding May 23. One Saturday session will be held from 8 a.m.-noon on May 18 at the Sheriff’s Office firearms range, where students will receive basic firearms safety training.

The program also includes a tour of the county jail and the opportunity to participate on patrol with a deputy sheriff.

Students will also experience live scenarios as the SCSO Tactical Response Unit demonstrates situations they have been trained to handle, from the planning stage to the execution of a mission.

The Academy provides more than 18 hours of instruction that answer how and why deputies and other Sheriff’s Office personnel respond to situations as they do. Sworn deputies, staff personnel and guest speakers will teach and facilitate sessions.

Applicants must be 18 or older, and because of the activities presented and the nature of the academy, all applicants are subject to a criminal background check and driver history check as a condition for acceptance. Regular and on-time attendance is expected, and students with more than three absences may be removed from the program.

Applications and course information may be found at www.myshelbyso.com/. Completed applications and a waver of liability forms should be mailed via U.S. mail to:

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Citizens Sheriff’s Academy, 380 McDow Road, P.O. Box 1095, Columbiana, AL 35051

For more, contact Sgt. Russell Bedsole at RBedsole@shelbyso.com or Dr. Richard Dormuth at DDormuth@shelbyso.com.