January 7, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
DeKalb County residents will soon have a chance to get a closer look at the operation of the Sheriff’s Department and Jail.
Applications are being accepted for Sheriff Patrick Ray’s Spring Citizens Academy, an 8 week course scheduled for March 10 through April 28. The classes meet each Tuesday night at 6 pm and usually last 2 to 3 hours. Each participant will be expected to be at each class.
“This citizens academy, the 3rd in the series, will give participants a better understanding as well as the mission and role of the Sheriff’s Department and Jail in our communities.,” said Sheriff Ray.
“Our goal is to make the public aware of the many services that the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and Jail provides. By doing this it will hopefully help everyone have a better understanding of how your emergency services work for you,” Sheriff Ray continued.
During this 8-week academy, topics to be covered include Domestic Violence Training, Traffic Stops, Firearms, Virtual scenarios, Simunition Training, Investigations, and the role of School Resource Officers and the DARE Program, among others.
Participants will be given a tour of the jail and court rooms and they will be offered an opportunity to ride along with patrol deputies after graduation.
All participants who sign up for the academy must be 21 years of age or older, pass a criminal background check, and sign a release of liability form.
“Because of the firearms training, no participant can have a felony criminal conviction, a domestic violence conviction, pending criminal charges, be under an order of protection, or have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution,” said Sheriff Ray.
“I would ask anyone who lives in DeKalb County and is interested in our next Citizens Academy to email me at sheriff21@dekalbsheriff.net or mail me your request to the Sheriff’s Department at 100 Public Square Smithville, TN 37166. I will in return, email you back or send you an application by mail. We will go through the applications and contact everyone who has been accepted. We hope to see you then,” Sheriff Ray concluded.