BENTON – The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce the formation of a Citizens Police Academy.

This 7 week program is open to any Franklin County resident who wants to learn more about the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and its functions. This interactive, behind the scenes program will be taught by well-trained members of the sheriff’s office, who will share their unique perspectives and expertise. The sheriff’s office has also partnered with the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency and Southern IL Drug Task Force to provide additional instruction.

The concept of the Citizens Police Academy involves opening the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office to the public and showing citizens exactly what we do and how we do it. As a result, the sheriff’s office believes that participants in the program will be better equipped to assess safety issues and share with others their knowledge of law enforcement practices, policies, and procedures. The sheriff’s office sees the Citizens Police Academy as an effective way of bringing law enforcement and the community together in an informal, educational forum where all involved parties can benefit.

Application to the program is open to any Franklin County resident, 25 years or older. Applications can be picked up at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office or they can be requested/returned by email to dvice@sherifffranklincounty.com. The application requires the completion of a background investigation and image release forms. Space in the program is extremely limited and participants will be chosen based on the receipt of their approved application. No application will be accepted after March 1.

The tentative schedule is as follows:

Week 1 (March 22): History of the Office of Sheriff / Functions / Divisions

Week 2 (March 29): Patrol / K9 Functions / Southern IL Drug Task Force

Week 3 (April 5): Investigations / Computer-Forensic Investigations

Week 4 (April 12): Jail Facility / Corrections / Community Mental Health Liaison

Week 5 (April 19): Dispatch / 911 Call Center

Week 6 (April 26): Franklin County Emergency Management Agency

Week 7 (May 3): Program Overview / Graduation

All classes will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Benton.