Kay County Sheriff announces Citizens Academy

Kay County Sheriff Steve Kelley has announced the start of the Kay County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy.

“Through a Kay County Sheriff Citizen’s Academy, our citizens can become more involved in making Kay County a better place to live,” Kelley said. “This academy is designed to promote better understanding between the Sheriff’s Office and you, the citizens of Kay County. This Citizens Academy offers a different and exciting program unique to our area. The curriculum is not what you might expect and the classes cover all areas of Kay County law enforcement.”

Kelley said he hopes this academy will attract a culturally diverse group of people, including bankers, businessmen and women, judges, homemakers, school teachers, media representatives, retires and citizens from all walks of life.

“This Citizen’s Academy is offered at no cost to the participants. The instructors will be the Sheriff, Undersheriff and the Deputy Sheriffs who volunteer their time and experience,” Kelley said.

Citizens will learn about virtually every aspect of a deputy’s job from recruiting, administration, patrol operations, dispatch communications, traffic enforcement, criminal law, juvenile offenders, detectives, crime scene investigations, K9 operations and the corrections facility and many other areas.

“Students are not limited to the classroom. Instead, they are given the opportunity to ride along with a deputy while on shift, tour the jail, and participate in basic firearms training on our range,” Kelley said.

Although graduates of this Citizens Academy are not qualified for sworn daily street duty, they do acquire a much better understanding of the Kay County Sheriff’s Office operations and constitutional responsibilities.

“As a Kay County Sheriff Citizen Academy graduate, you gain greater awareness and appreciation for the difficult challenges and decisions a Deputy Sheriff faces every day,” he said. “You will become more aware of your surroundings in your daily lives. And you will have the tools necessary to help the Kay County Sheriff’s Office as well as other area law enforcement in the prevention of crime and help keep our community safe.”

Applications can be picked up at the Kay County Sheriff’s Office or call the office to have one emailed or faxed to you. Classes will be on Thursday of each week from 6 to 9 p.m. and will last 12 weeks. Some classes may be held on a Saturday.

Classes are held to the maximum of 20 students. Absences are permitted; however, attendance is encouraged. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, must pass a background check and must live in the Kay County area.

For more information, call the Kay County Sheriff’s Office at (580) 362-3250 or (580) 362-2517