Citizens Police Academy

The academy provides an opportunity for citizens to learn first-hand about the operations of the sheriff’s office and meet like-minded citizens through a series of lectures, field trips and simulation activities. Participants will meet Tuesday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. At the end of the period there will be a graduation ceremony with certificates of training and a meal.

Activities for the class will include training in sheriff’s office communications, a briefing on the deputy’s patrols, patrol training and a demonstration of patrol scenarios. Other classes include a briefing on jail operations as well as a tour of the jail.

Sheriff’s deputies will also provide briefings on family crimes and gangs, on forensics and cold case work, briefings on narcotics issues, legal issues and on training for active shooters. The S.W.A.T. team, negotiators, the horse-mounted patrol and the K-9 officers will also conduct presentations. Sheriff detectives will teach the psychology of law enforcement.

Many graduates of the citizen’s academy join the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy Alumni Association and serve as volunteers for a range of sheriff’s office events and activities. The alumni hold meetings with guest speakers each month at the sheriff’s office, which have included the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Life Flight and other law enforcement and support agencies. The alumni were organized to support the employees of the sheriff’s office, hosting a number of events for the employees and have provided meals and fellowship with employees working during the holidays.

For more information and to register for the Citizen’s academy, contact Sergeant Gary Heron at (615) 904-3019 or email him at gherron@rcsotn.org