SHERIFF'S CITIZENS ACADEMY 10 WEEK CLASS

[chief38]

My wife and I just signed up for a 10 week Sheriff's Citizen's Academy course that is offered in our County. It's free, includes a Range night, special weapons demo, helicopter stuff, K-9 night, self defense class for seniors, etc. I have been through some of this stuff before (have had friends and relatives in LE), but my wife was interested so I took the opportunity to sign us up and two other couples we are friendly with too.

I spoke to neighbors about this yesterday who are currently taking the course and they said it was great! Not only do we get some training, but we get to tour the Academy, the Jail House, and see the inside operations of the Sheriff's Office and Officers from the inside. Obviously boring if you did this as a profession, but we did not.

At almost 70 I am not professing to be what I was at 40, 30 or even 20 years ago and any little advantages I can gain is always a plus! Probably not a bad way to spend 1 evening a week for 10 weeks with good friends, neighbors and getting to know the local LE guys.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Didn't they make a movie about this?

 

[somorris]

I think the local PD and Sheriff.s offices are smart to do this kind of thing.

 

[stansdds]

It would be great if all police departments and sheriff's offices offered this sort of thing.

 

[chief38]

The local LE can only be in so many places at one time. Having people who are a little more aware is always a good thing. Not only that - they more than likely gain respect for LEO's and actually see that their job is not a cake walk. Many private citizens are totally oblivious!

I know we will really enjoy the K-9 night as well as the Range night. I've only gotten my wife down to the Range twice in 45 years! Who knows, maybe she will take a liking to it when presented by professionals.

 

[ken158]

Attending a citizens academy is a unique opportunity but also nothing to be taken lightly. One participant in Florida was shot and killed in a shoot don't shoot scenario and in Virginia, a participant driving a police car on a driver training course crashed through a guard rail, putting the class member and two driving training officers in the hospital. The car was a total loss. Liability issues would suggest limited participation in potentially dangerous activities. Wonder if the insurance underwriters had any advance knowledge and input in this program?

 

[chief38]

Attending a citizens academy is a unique opportunity but also nothing to be taken lightly. One participant in Florida was shot and killed in a shoot don't shoot scenario and in Virginia, a participant driving a police car on a driver training course crashed through a guard rail, putting the class member and two driving training officers in the hospital. The car was a total loss. Liability issues would suggest limited participation in potentially dangerous activities. Wonder if the insurance underwriters had any advance knowledge and input in this program?

Don't know the particulars but I'm guessing that when you show up they make you sign a waiver form. I know they've already done background checks on us. Anyone who fails that doesn't get to go.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Our local Department did these for several years before Covid...... wife [Chief of Staff for a State Rep] wanted to do it and signed "us" up. IIRC 8 weeks 4hr sessions.

Most fun for me was the day they brought in a Computer/video simulation training set up.......very interactive.....numatic recoil/laser guns for "shoot/don't shoot drills".....amazing how bad most folks were at decision making under pressure........ we got to watch about 25 scenarios and each participate in one. Good training cus you got to watch and do your own decision making.....

In my "participation drill". I gots to kill me a couple of bad guys!!! Traffic Stop. Guy got out of a pickup and took a shot at my partner ( I got three solid hits on a triple tap) computer gave me a kill; the other wouldn't show me her hands and finally pulled a gun out of her hoody. (double tap)
Chief came up after and asked/told me "You've done this kind of thing before!" LOL Barbara told me later that Folks were "surprised" at my performance.... after 30+ years of PPC, USPSA and IDPA it's easy to be Matt Dillon fast from open carry with my thumb indexed on the grip frame.

At the end you could sign up for a shift long ride along.... they gave me a Friday night 4-12. Couldn't carry but, LOL the Sgt. showed me the release for the AR!


They also did ALICE training for a couple of years.

All "Fun" aside... good PR for the police and good for those who took part.

 

[LenS]

I've now taken the citizen's police academy twice, the last time with my Wife. I last served over 25 yrs ago and we had no computers, a lot of technology is now available to officers, the job is very different and I now live in a different state. It really was a great experience. The lawyers did get involved, no live fire, we used a simulator running scenarios with laser guns (look like Glock 17s).


It is also great PR for the LE agencies. You get to know officers and they get to know you as real human beings. You get some great oversight into what the job today entails and the dangers associated with it.

 

[Ranger17]

I took our local PD’s citizen academy and loved it. Learned a ton about our village, while getting to know our officers more and show them support as well. From the “drug night” that included some very moving conversations between us and the lead officer, to the ride along I was on that included a gun drawn on the driver, backup called in and an arrest (ohhh my heart-rate spiked when I saw the gun come out), all very informative. Lastly, we hit the local Gander Mt range not for live fire but to use their level simulators. Wow those were crazy and intense. My first one was a hostage situation, I took a shot and nailed the bad guy in the forehead with blood splattering (so realistic) and heard “nice shot!” Then I heard “you arent done yet” as my focus was so on what was in front that I did not see or hear a guy on the side shooting at me. That taught me an awful lot about my own abilities or lack of. Being good poking holes in paper doesnt mean a lot in the real world. The officers finished the simulator with one they use as part of school shooter training. That was both intense and moving.
Also took the sheriff dept’s classes, those ramped it up a notch with a jail visit, coroner discussions and a night at their range (which I use when open for the public) where I learned 2 things. First, shooting a Glock was not like my MP’s and I did not care for it. And that was the first time I shot an AR, which lit a fire and I bought one soon after lol.
But yes take these classes if able.

 

[Doug M.]

My sister and her hubby did their local Citizen Academy a few years ago. Being fundamentally decent folks and a bit sheltered, it was an eye opener for them about crime, criminals, and what cops face, plus the drivel spouted from certain groups.

 

[jbull380]

I’m currently trying to convince the city to let me teach a basic firearms class to its citizens. I’m being met with less than an enthusiastic response. There would be charge but a very very reasonable one compared to any other training service. I wanted to use the funds to maintain the range and its equipment. We are sorely underfunded when you think about the training requirements. Still working on it though.

 

[Faulkner]

Our department holds a annual 10 week Sheriff's Academy that seats 20 and it always fills up in advance. I usually get assigned to teach one or two sessions and the participants always seem to graduate with a much broader view of real law enforcement as opposed to what they see portrayed by the media.

 

[badge]

It's a terrific idea as most folks have no clue what THE JOB involves or what can and does happen.

 

[roo_ster]

I think the local PD and Sheriff.s offices are smart to do this kind of thing.

And-how!

Getting to know each other is pretty darned important to build trust & support, both ways.

 

[heeter3]

I ran one for our department in the early 2000s until I retired.It was the best PR tool our department ever experienced and the turnout and enthusiasm from our citizenry was extraordinary.If there is a possibility to attend one it's well worth the time and effort.

 

[raljr1]

Mrs and I did one of these with the Mt. Lebanon, PA department years ago.

We really enjoyed it. We did the simulator too. Unfortunately, I only got to shoot twice, woman with a knife, threatening the officer.. I wanted a chance at the two bad guys that jumped out of the car at a traffic stop, alas, not my turn. The instructor at the county police simulator range told us that they had to start making sure that police officers and detectives didn't have any guns on them when they went into the simulator. Apparently, the sim gun was programmed to jam sometimes so that an officer would have to clear it before continuing to "shoot."
It jammed on one detective, and he immediately went to his ankle holster and put a live round thru the screen.

I did the ride along, but it was a very quiet night in suburbia that night.

I still have my badge.

 

[steelslaver]

I did a couple ride a longs when I was younger. Only then they called those "arrests"

 

[Muss Muggins]

Proud to say I’ve been in both ends of a police cruiser . . .

I did a couple ride a longs when I was younger. Only then they called those "arrests"

 

[BAM-BAM]

Mrs and I did one of these with the Mt. Lebanon, PA department years ago.

We really enjoyed it. We did the simulator too. Unfortunately, I only got to shoot twice, woman with a knife, threatening the officer.. I wanted a chance at the two bad guys that jumped out of the car at a traffic stop, alas, not my turn. The instructor at the county police simulator range told us that they had to start making sure that police officers and detectives didn't have any guns on them when they went into the simulator. Apparently, the sim gun was programmed to jam sometimes so that an officer would have to clear it before continuing to "shoot."
It jammed on one detective, and he immediately went to his ankle holster and put a live round thru the screen.


LOL My Dad retired as the Captain in 78. 39 years with the Deptl

I did the ride along, but it was a very quiet night in suburbia that night.

I still have my badge.

My Dad retire from Lebo PD in1978 after 39 years.