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Crime & Safety

Sheriff Offers Citizen Academy for 18 and Older as "Overview"

Unsure what to do with your life once you’ve graduated high school? You might want to think about the next Sheriff's Citizen's Academy, Wednesdays from Aug. 7 to Sept. 25, for an inside look at local law enforcement.

The eight week academy is designed to give citizens an overview of the Sheriff’s office, policies and procedures. During the academy, students will learn about police ethics, communications, crime prevention, criminal law, the correctional system, all of our investigation units including CSI, Coroner, Violent Crimes, Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault, Narcotics, Intelligence Unit and much more.

Academy classes are taught by Sheriff's Office executives and veteran personnel. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and to express their concerns to Sheriff's Office employees. 

The curriculum and teaching methods are similar to the traditional police academy, but the weekly sessions are not designed to make the participant a deputy sheriff.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is currently taking applications for the upcoming fall academy to take place every Wednesday from August 7 -September 25, from 6:00 -9:00 p.m.; applications are due by June 28.

Potential candidates for the citizen's academy must meet the following criteria:
• Minimum age of 18 years
• Community members must live or work in Sonoma County
• Pass a basic background check
• No prior felony convictions
• No misdemeanor arrests within the last twelve months

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office hopes there will be a greater awareness and understanding of law enforcement's role in the community through the education provided by the Citizen's Academy.

Classes meet Wednesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office main building, 2796 Ventura Ave., Santa Rosa.

Members of civic groups or community organizations are encouraged to apply. Applicants will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis and placed on a waiting list once the class becomes full. Enrollment is limited to approximately 25 students per academy.

You can find an application by visiting the website www.sonomasheriff.org or by coming in to the office. Completed applications can be turned into the Sheriff’s Office Main Building front desk or mailed to our department at 2796 Ventura Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Attn: Citizens Academy.

If you have questions about the Citizens Academy please contact the Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit at 565-7398.


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