Get in on the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy for 2016!

Sheriff Roger Scott is pleased to announce the annual offering of the Sheriff’s Citizens Police Academy for citizens of DeKalb County. Detective Sarah Frazier and Detective John Holiday are the coordinators of the 22nd Citizens Police Academy.

The Academy has been co-sponsored by the Sheriff’s Office and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau since 1996. Additional sponsors include Representative Bob Pritchard, who is also a graduate of Citizens Academy Class #1, Senator Tim Bivins and Nathan Winston Services. The Academy is scheduled to begin Thursday January 7, 2016 and will conclude with graduation at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau on March 10th, 2016. Classes are from 6:30-9:30 pm for 10 consecutive Thursday evenings and are held primarily at the Legislative Center in Sycamore. The Academy is not meant to prepare individuals for a law enforcement career, but as an educational opportunity for DeKalb County Citizens.

Since 1996 approximately 500 citizens from all walks of life have graduated from the Academy. Instructors for the Academy include deputies from the Sheriff’s Office and members of other segments of the Criminal Justice System in DeKalb County. The goal of the Academy is to give citizens a realistic view of the Criminal Justice System in DeKalb County as well as to enable deputies and other instructors to receive feedback directly from the citizens.

Academy topics cover several areas including arrest procedures, criminal law, investigations, domestic violence, traffic stops, telecommunications, corrections, the judiciary, coroner’s office and other topics. Many of the classes include optional hands-on involvement by members of the Academy.

Those interested in attending Citizens Police Academy may contact the Sheriff’s Office for an application by calling 815-895-7260 or by stopping at the Sheriff’s Office at 150 N. Main St. in Sycamore. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and live or work within DeKalb County. Basic background checks are conducted on all applicants. The application can be downloaded by going to www.dekalbcountyilsheriff.org and looking along the left hand side for Citizen Academy application.

There is no registration fee however class size is limited and the deadline for registration is December 18th, 2015. Early registration is encouraged. Watch the short video below to learn much more!