The Citizens’ Police Academy provides community members with an inside look at local law enforcement. The purpose of the academy is to increase understanding between the citizens through education and interaction with members of the Sheriff’s Department. The Academy gives citizens the opportunity to learn why we “can” and/or “cannot” do certain things.

 It is hoped that the instruction will increase police awareness to dispel suspicions and misconceptions, and to increase police/community rapport through this educational program. The Academy is a ten-week program and each session consists of Thursday night classes held at the Annex Building located next to the Winston County Courthouse. Classes are from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 The instruction is comprehensive and each week separate areas of the Sheriff’s department are covered. Training, communication, canine, patrols, weapons, crime scene investigations, are examples of some of the topics that are covered. Instruction consists of lectures, demonstrations, tours and a graduation ceremony.

 The slogan of the Citizen Police Academy is “Understanding Through Education”. We hope the graduates of the Citizen Police Academy become more aware and better informed about how the Sheriff’s Department operates, and will recommend their friends, co-workers and families to joining the Winston County Sheriff’s Department in this rewarding program.