Tuesday, January 10, 2012

"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/