Douglas County Sheriff's Office Offers Free Citizens Academy

DOUGLASVILLE, GA – Have you ever wanted a behind-the-scenes look at jail operations, evidence gathering, investigations, patrol and more? The Douglas County Sheriff's Office will hold its next Citizens Law Enforcement Academy from March 22 through June 14.

Classes are held on Thursday nights for 12 weeks, from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. All applicants need to be able to commit to attending the twelve sessions of this academy.

Applicants must be a resident or business owner in Douglas County. You must be at least 21 years of age, and give consent for a background check as part of the application process. There is no fee for this class.

The curriculum and training are not what you would expect. The goal is not to teach the student how to become a law enforcement officer, but rather to give students some insight into the duties and responsibilities of our deputies. While graduates of the Citizens Law Enforcement Academy are not prepared for daily street duty, they do acquire a better understanding of deputies' daily operations and the challenges that confront deputies. The hope is that the student leaves with a better understanding of the complex nature of police work, enforcing the law.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office understands that community involvement is one of the most powerful tools any law enforcement agency has in the fight against crime. Through CLEA, citizens can help deputies keep Douglas County safe and a great place to live and work. Best of all, CLEA graduates become “goodwill ambassadors” for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

If interested, contact Tina Brownlow or fill out an application on the Douglas County Shierff's website.

Photo courtesy Douglas County Sheriff's Office