WHAT IS THE SHERIFF CITIZENS ACADEMY?
The Sheriff Citizen’s Academy is an eight week course designed to familiarize citizens with various aspects of their local Sheriff’s Office, such as administrative philosophy, how their Sheriff’s Office operates, and the challenges our community faces. The Sheriff Citizen’s Academy will consist of classroom and hands on training.
The program covers procedures from patrol and investigations, domestic violence, use of force, defensive tactics, and Detention Center operations, as well as drug education and other operational tasks. The curriculum does not fulfill State of Montana certification requirements for peace officers.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIRMENTS TO ATTEND?
The Sheriff Citizen’s Academy is free, but space is limited to 20 participants. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, reside in Ravalli County, and must be willing to attend all scheduled classes. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check. Applicants will be chosen at the discretion of the Sheriff’s Administration.
WHEN DOES THE CLASS MEET?
There will be one or two academies per year.
Applicants are required to meet one evening a week (including graduation night) for a total of 8 weeks. Evening classes will run from 06:00pm-09:00pm hours, and potentially a Saturday session may run from 09:00am-05:00pm hours. Applicants will be encouraged to schedule a ride-along with a sworn deputy.
WHO INSTRUCTS THE SHERIFF CITIZEN’S ACADEMY?
Instructors are Deputies and personnel from the Sheriff’s Office who speak on their areas of expertise, as well as specialized quest speakers.
***Be advised some of the material is graphic in nature and can be unsettling to some people***
WHAT SUBJECTS ARE COVERED? (Subject to Change)
- Sheriff Message
- Administrative Staff (Administrative Assistant, OEM, Patrol, Detention, Detective, and 911 Lieutenants)
- Patrol Operations & Domestic Violence
- Traffic Investigation, DUI, and DRE
- Drug Enforcement & Investigations
- Crime Scene Investigations and Evidence Collection
- Use of Force (Pepper Spray, Asp, Taser, Firearms)
- Defensive Tactics
- Airsoft Training
- Law Enforcement Culture
- Detention Center (operations and tour)
- Case study from County Attorney’s Office (investigation-prosecution)
- Graduation
WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT?
Pick up the Sheriff Citizen’s Academy application located at the RCSO or on the Sheriff’s Office website and send/deliver it to the Sheriff’s Office.
Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Cpl. Dan Mendonca
205 Bedford St. Suite G
Hamilton, MT 59840
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cpl. Dan Mendonca at (406) 531-7031 or email at dmendonca@rc.mt.gov