The Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy is an eleven-week journey designed to educate and inform citizens about issues that face law enforcement efforts in Clayton County. Each session consists of eleven consecutive Tuesday night classes at the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office from 6:30 pm until 9 pm. The instruction is comprehensive and each week separate areas of the department are covered.

    The goal of the Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy is not only to help local residents better understand law enforcement in their community, but to develop stronger ties between our community and law enforcement agencies in an effort to better address crime issues. Community Based Policing is an important and vital aspect of crime control in any community. It is through community cooperation and planning that we can best ensure quality law enforcement services in an organized effective crime prevention effort. The Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy is yet another mechanism for the Sheriff’s Office to inform the public of what they do, improve communication, and obtain citizen input, assistance, and support throughout the county.

    The instruction provided at the Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy will include topics relevant to Clayton County crime problems, such as: crime prevention and community based policing, drugs, gangs, DUI and traffic enforcement, investigations, the Use of Force Model and use of force, firearms safety and the law, and a tour of the Clayton County Jail.

How the Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy Benefits Residents:

• Citizens and law enforcement have an opportunity to work closely together.

• Open lines of communication between community residents and law enforcement are enhanced.

• Citizens gain the ability to make informed decisions regarding controversial issues faced by their communities.

• Citizen involvement with their local community and law enforcement is enhanced.

• Citizens gain a better understanding of how law enforcement works and develop ways in which the community can better reduce crime.

• Citizens become aware of the problems facing law enforcement.

We hope the graduates of the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy become more aware and better informed about how law enforcement operates and will encourage friends, coworkers, and families to join the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office in this rewarding program.

Potential candidates for the Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum age of 18

• Live/work in Clayton County

• No prior felony arrests

• No misdemeanor arrests within six months of the application

Enrollment is limited to approximately twenty five students per session.

For more information on the Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy, please the contact the Community Relations section at (770)471-1122.

Please return your completed application to the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office located at:

9157 Tara Blvd, Jonesboro, GA 30236.