Murrieta Residents Invited to Apply for Riverside Co. Sheriff's Academy

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA – Riverside County residents who want a broader understanding of Sheriff's Department operations are being invited to apply for admission to the agency's Citizens Academy.

The free program will run from Feb. 27 to April 17, with classes planned on successive Mondays, generally between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., at the Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center on Davis Avenue, according to sheriff's Sgt. Chris Durham.

The application deadline is Feb. 17.

"The goal of the Citizens Academy is to provide a greater awareness of law enforcement's role within our communities," Durham said.

Participants will be exposed to patrol operations, learn more about SWAT, K9 team functions, bomb squad methods and forensics, according to Durham. He said there will be tours of the Robert Presley Detention Center, the coroner's office and the sheriff's communications center.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have no felony arrests and be willing to pass an "informal background check," the sergeant said.

The academy will not include physical training, so candidates needn't be concerned with fitness standards.

For applications and additional information, residents were asked to contact Cpl. Ricky Valentine at (951) 486-2798.

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--City News Service/Patch file photo