The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office will hold is annual Citizen Police Academy next month.
The academy’s purpose is to increase knowledge and understanding between citizens and police through education. The curriculum and teaching methods are similar to a traditional police academy, although the students will not be certified as peace officers.
The program is being conducted by the Training and Crime Prevention Unit of the sheriff’s office. The adult students will meet in the evenings for two (2) hours once a week during the seven week course.
Class instruction will be performed by various officers within the department and topics will range from Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Watch, Drugs, K-9 Unit, Patrol Division, Internal Affairs, SAFE, Criminal Investigations, Computer Forensics and Task Force operations.
“Graduates of the academyâ ¦ will be closely familiarized with the operations of the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office and will have gained a deeper understanding of the problems and policies facing the Coweta County Sheriff’s deputies,” sheriff’s officials said in a statement.
“It cannot be stressed enough that even the most law-abiding, well-disposed citizen has only a vague notion of police affairs,” they said. “Misconceptions range from the widely held view that police traffic patrols exist merely to persecute the unfortunate motorist and that officers often mistreat and use unnecessary force on all citizens with whom they come in contact. Completion of this course will give the citizen a better understanding of your sheriff’s office.”
The class gets under way Sept. 18 and ends Oct. 30. The seven-week course will be held each Tuesday at the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, 560 Greison Trail, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The minimum age requirement is 21 and each student must be a resident of Coweta County and have no prior criminal arrests or convictions. Anyone wishing to enroll in this course or have any questions should call Marsha Dailey, 678-423-6739, or Major James Yarbrough at 770-253-1502. Early registration is encouraged. The class will be limited to the first 25 applicants.
