Registration Open For Shelby County Citizen's Sheriff's Academy

SHELBY COUNTY, AL - Registration is open for this year's Shelby County Citizens Sheriff's Academy. The program provides citizens with an opportunity to experience the real world of law enforcement and what it is like to be a Sheriffs Deputy. It is designed to help the public better understand the mission, operations and functions of the Sheriff's Office, heighten community awareness, and improve communications between the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and the communities it serves.

Through presentations and demonstrations from the deputies themselves, participants will learn some of the techniques and resources they use to train for duty, from traffic stops to drug enforcement to tactical team response.

Course Topics Include:

• Sheriff's Office Organization and Staffing
• Laws and the Court System
• Corrections
• Vehicle Stops/Pursuits/DUI
• Accident Investigations
• Criminal Investigations
• Drug Task Force
• Tactical Response Unit
• Special Units
• Alabama Firearms Laws and Safety Training

Classes begin March 1, and meet one night per week, for 12 consecutive weeks 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on Thursday of each week, and one Saturday session from 8:00 a.m. - noon, where students will receive basic firearms safety training and will have the opportunity to use the Sheriff's Office firearms range.

Participants must be 18 years of age older, and live or work in Shelby County. Due to the nature of the academy and activities presented, all applicants are subject to criminal history background checks, as well as driver history checks conducted by the Sheriff's Office as a condition for acceptance into the program. More information can be obtained by contacting Sgt. Chris Robertson at crobertson@shelbyso.com or by phone at 205-670-6321.

Image from Shelby County Sheriff's Office