Sheriff's Academy Begins in April

By Glenn Collins
Friday, February 25, 2011 | 3:02 PM
https://hbtv.us/news/?story_id=658

Scott Shipman, WCSO Major Terry Raines and Haleyville Municipal Judge Jonathan Lowe at Thursday's Rotary meeting. Raines was an instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for 19 years. FLET-C trains agents for 72 federal agencies, including NCIS. He has lived in Winston County for 12 years.

The Winston County Sheriff's Office is on course to complete Sheriff Rick Harris' campaign pledge of eight things he wanted done in his first 100 days in office.

WCSO Major Terry Raines, speaking Thursday at the Haleyville Rotary, said that all but one of the promises has been implemented, and the last one is coming soon.

The 8th promise is a Citizens Academy and it begins Thursday, April 7, 6 PM, running eight consecutive Thursdays.

The first purpose for the Winston Citizens Academy is to involve citizens in crime prevention by familiarizing them with the various functions, missions, operations, policies, and personnel of the Sheriff’s Office. Another purpose is to develop an effective community volunteer corps.

“It was born out of community policing about 15 years ago and it's been a great tool,” Raines said.

Citizens who attend the academy will learn about patrol operations, arrest and detention, DUI enforcement, Criminal Investigations, crime scene preservation and evidence collection, K-9, narcotics and the newly established Reserve Officer Program. Participants will also tour the jail and dispatch center.

These people can apply: persons 21 years old and older, persons involved in community activities, Winston County residents, and those able to make a commitment to attend the eight week course.

Applicants who would not be considered are persons who have applications pending with a law enforcement agency, direct relatives of current police officers living in the same household, or persons with a criminal history.

Classes will be held at the Double Springs Municipal Building, 23415 Hwy 195, Double Springs, AL 35553.

For more information and to obtain an applications, call the Sheriff’s Office at 489-8765.