Citizens Academy

The Sheriff’s Citizens Academy (SCA) was initiated by Sheriff Enoch George and Captain Nathan Johns to give citizens of Maury County a better understanding of the day-to-day operations of the Maury County Sheriff's Department. A ten-week course gives citizens an in-depth look and hands-on training into the career of law enforcement. Citizens are instructed by deputies on the subject of patrol, jail, school resource officers, communications, investigations, and drug task force.

The SCA is a 10-week program, in which courses are held Thursday nights from 6 p.m. until approximately 9 p.m. Each week a new topic is introduced and discussed. Citizens will also have an opportunity to ride along with a patrol deputy. This enables them to observe first hand how the sheriff’s office handles incidents.

The Sheriff's Citizens Academy was "In the Spotlight" in the Summer 2011 edition of the National Citizens Police Academy Association (NCPAA) newsletter (PDF). 

Importance of Citizens Academy

Community Oriented Policing plays an important and vital role in reducing crime in any community. Therefore the Maury County Sheriff's Office instituted the Citizens Academy to improve the communication and obtain the citizen input and support throughout the county. It is our hope that the graduates will become partners with us in identifying problems and solutions to the crime issues that are affecting our community. Graduates will take their knowledge to their neighborhoods where they can use it to enhance the quality of neighborhood life.

The objective of this course is not to make the graduates deputies, but better-informed citizens with a greater general knowledge of our many functions. Our goal is to foster enhanced community relations from these graduates and the people they touch in everyday life.

Benefits

When residents take a more personal look in their community, and the protection of their community and neighborhoods, they will enjoy a safer and closer relationship with their neighbors.

In addition, graduates will be encouraged to join the Citizens Academy Alumni Association. This will give them the opportunity to have a more interactive association with the sheriff's department if they choose.

Applicants

Participants must be 18 years of age or older, have no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions and must be a resident or business owner in Maury County. There is no cost for participants and each student who successfully completes the academy will take part in graduation.

The Sheriff’s Citizens Academy is limited to 25 persons. Individuals interested in attending the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy should email Chief Deputy Mike Barnes or call 931-375-8602.

Submit applications (PDF) for the next class. Complete the form and fax it to 931-380-1122 or mail to:
Maury County Sheriff's Citizens Academy
Attention: Citizen's Academy
1300 Lawson White Drive
Columbia, TN 38401