The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for the inaugural class of its Citizens Police Academy (CPA), set to kick off in September. This 10-week program will begin on September 28, 2016, and will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through December 7, 2016, with the exception of Wednesday, November 23. The classes will be held in the first-floor classroom of the CCSO District 3 Station located at 3670 Leonardtown Road in Waldorf.
“The Citizens Police Academy is an invaluable addition to the programs offered by the Sheriff’s Office. It will serve to strengthen the police-community relations in our county by offering citizens an understanding of what our job is like, while also opening up communication so that we may learn about citizens’ views on our role in public safety,” said Sheriff Troy Berry. “We are fortunate to have very positive relationships with the people in our community, and the Citizens Police Academy will help to build upon and reinforce that.”
Participants will learn about a wide range of topics including:
- Patrol Procedures
- Narcotics Investigations
- Forensic Evidence
- Criminal Law
- Juvenile Issues
- Use of Force
- Criminal Investigations
- Search and Seizure
Participants will also get a behind-the-scenes look at the CCSO Headquarters, Charles County Detention Center, Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy, and Crime Lab. Hands-on experiences will include a Firearms Training Simulator (FATS) and crime scene processing. Participants will have the opportunity to ride with a police officer and to experience policing from an officer’s perspective. Participation in the Ride-along program is not required but is strongly encouraged.
The Citizens Police Academy is a valuable opportunity for anyone who is interested in learning more about the realities of policing. Individuals who wish to apply will be subject to a background check. This program is free of charge. There are a limited number of seats available, so anyone interested in participating in the inaugural CPA should submit their application as soon as possible.
Additional information and applications for the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy can be found on our website at www.ccso.us/cpa. Applications are due no later than September 7, 2016, and should be mailed to:
Charles County Sheriff’s Office
6915 Crain Highway
PO Box 189
La Plata, MD 20646
Attn: Human Resources
Charles County Crime Solvers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest or indictment of a person responsible for a crime in Charles County. Anyone with information about an unsolved crime or the location of a fugitive may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS, texting CHARLES + the tip to CRIMES (274637) or submitting tips online at tipsubmit.com. All individuals who provide tips through Crime Solvers will remain anonymous. Learn more at the CCSO’s website.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service law enforcement agency comprised of more than 600 police, corrections and civilian personnel responsible for protecting more than 150,000 residents. The CCSO was accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 2001 and has been designated as a CALEA Gold Standard of Excellence agency since 2011. Established in 1658, the CCSO is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the United States. For more information, visit www.ccso.us.
