Curious about sheriff's duties? Come to Citizens Academy

By Mikaylie Kartchner

February 11, 2005 | CACHE COUNTY -- The Sheriff's Office will have the ninth annual Citizens Academy starting Feb. 23.

The Citizens Academy is a program for Cache County residents designed to show them what the Sheriff's office really does, said Chief Deputy Dave Bennett.

"It is good to know what the local law enforcement does, how we do things, what we do," Bennett said. "It's nothing secretive."

The program runs six weeks in which citizens learn about all the operations of the Sheriff's Office such as the 911 Center, the jail, SWAT and tactical operations, patrol, juvenile crime, investigation, and the courts. It also includes a discussion about the history of the office and basic operations like the budget.

"We try to talk about everything we do," said Bennett. "The people who come really enjoy it. We get a lot of good feedback."

Bennett said each section usually has a demonstration or something to go along with fun their section. He said there are role-playing and other activities that make it more fun than just lecturing. "We are not just up there talking. That would be boring."

Bennett said most of the participants are adults, but some teenagers come as well with their parents. At the end of the program, Bennett said, they have a graduation and a dinner for participants.

The program started in 1997 and is held every year. Participation is free. Bennett said there are usually quite a few that sign up but only about half actually come to all the classes.

For information on participating, residents should contact Bennett at the Cache County Sheriff's Office.

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