"Providing the community with an inside look at law enforcement"

The Richland County Sheriff's Department Citizen Police Academy is an educational and rewarding experience... I encourage everyone to take advantage of this FREE 12-week program.

The mission of the Richland Citizen's Academy Program is to educate and inform the community... provide a forum for police/community interaction and identify community problems, needs and concerns. We want to give citizens an overview of our Department's structure, services and personnel. Each week you will have a qualified instructor to explain how each division of the Richland County Sheriff's Department operates including:

• Uniform Patrol Division
• Investigations
• Narcotics Enforcement
• Gang Unit
• Special Response Team
• Physical Evidence/Crime Lab
• Canine Unit
• School Resource Officers
• Deputy Sheriff Selection
• Professional Standards
• Youth Crimes
• Victim's Assistance
• Training Division
• 911 Communications Center
• Aviation

Classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. The final session is a ride-along with on-duty deputies. After the 12th week, participants have a graduation event with a photo session -- which I am always proud to attend. These weekly sessions are not designed to make the participant a Police Officer. It's more an opportunity to receive some of the training that a recruit receives while attending the Police Academy.

Here are the requirements to attend: You have to be at least 21 years old, have no misdemeanor arrests within 1 year of application, and no felony convictions.

If you are interested in participating in the RCSD Citizen’s Academy, please complete an application- you can go to http://www.rcsd.net/prog/citizenacademy.htm or call the Community Action Team at (803) 419-5331.

The next session starts January 17th, 2012!

Citizens can access important information about crime prevention, free safety training and community resources at:

Website: www.rcsd.net Twitter: http://twitter.com/RCSD

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfficialRCSDPage.fb

Facebook Teens: https://www.facebook.com/rcsdkids

Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/tumblelog/sheriffleonlott

Newsvine: http://richland-cty-sheriff-leon-lott1.newsvine.com/