Behind the Badge | Sheriff’s Citizen Academy

BEHIND THE BADGE

Back by Popular Demand: Sheriff’s Citizen Academy

BY IAN PARKINSON

The law enforcement profession in this country has been in the news quite a bit the past couple years. Some of it positive. Some, not so positive. And I’ve always felt that those of us in the profession need to do a better job at educating the public about what it is exactly we do to serve our citizens and community. It’s not easy sometimes to explain our decision-making in certain situations or to provide context to why we do, what we do.

But for those of you who live in San Luis Obispo County, you have an opportunity to get an up-close, firsthand account of the Sheriff’s Office. It’s an opportunity that happens just once a year. And in fact, it hasn’t even happened the last couple years because of COVID. But we are bringing it back due to popular demand. I’m talking about the Sheriff’s Citizen Academy.

The Citizen Academy provides members of the community an inside look at the Sheriff’s Office. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes look at all the different facets of law enforcement. You may be surprised to learn we have approximately 450 people at the Sheriff’s Office who work across almost 40 divisions and units. About 170 of those men and women are patrol deputies. And 150 are correctional deputies who work in the County Jail. We have come a long way from when the Sheriff’s Office was created in 1850 with just one employee.

If you decide to join us, here’s what you can expect during the academy. First things first, the academy is free and open to the public. It’s an 11-week course that’s held every Tuesday night starting Aug. 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office. So now to the good stuff.

Each Tuesday night, we will have a presentation on topics like investigations, patrol procedures, drug and gang enforcement, and crime prevention. Some of the highlights include live demonstrations from our Special Enforcement Detail (our version of SWAT) and from the Bomb Task Force. You’ll also get the chance to see a demonstration from our K-9s and their handlers. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to do a ride-along with one of our deputies as well as a sit-along with one of our dispatchers. And you’ll get to experience our state-of-the-art force options simulator that puts you right in the middle of the action making those same split second decisions that all deputies have to make.

The goal of the academy is not only to show you all the gee whiz elements of our experience but to also highlight the men and women behind the badge, because these folks are ultimately what make up the Sheriff’s Office. To get to know them because they are your friends and neighbors who want the same thing you and I do: safe, secure neighborhoods and communities. That’s what the Sheriff’s Citizen Academy is all about. To hopefully give you some insight about what we call our profession but also just happens to be our passion. That’s why we live here in the first place. To enjoy all the amazing benefits of living on the Central Coast with the peace of mind that comes with knowing we are here to protect you, your family, and your community.

We would love to have you join us at this year’s Sheriff’s Citizen Academy. An application can be found online at slosheriff.org. For more information contact our Crime Prevention Office at (805) 781-4578. 