Most of us know there are police and sheriff academies throughout the country that are aimed at recruitment and tactical training. Did you know there is also a Citizens Academy designed to increase communication and understanding between our citizens and the criminal justice system?
The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department and the Sacramento Police Department are inviting the public to participate in the 14th Citizens Academy.
“The Academy now includes all members of our community and continues to improve relationships and engage individual citizens in our efforts to keep neighborhoods safe,” DA Jan Scully said.
“I initially formed the Citizens Academy to foster mutual understanding and remove barriers between our diverse ethnic, cultural, and faith-based communities and the criminal justice system,” said District Attorney Jan Scully. “The Academy now includes all members of our community and continues to improve relationships and engage individual citizens in our efforts to keep neighborhoods safe.”
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]With 13 classes and more than 750 alumni graduates, the Academy provides an overview of the entire criminal justice system and facilitates an open dialogue between community members and members of our justice system. Representatives from various agencies present information, answer questions, and discuss crime-related issues and concerns, including racial profiling, gang and hate crimes, medical marijuana and dispensaries, and realignment. There are also several field trips for a “real-life” perspective of the county jail, the courts, the DA and Public Defender offices, and the Sacramento Police Department Communications Center.
The free academy is starting on April 8, classes are held Tuesday evenings from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. for 10 consecutive weeks at the Sacramento Police Department headquarters. Learn more about the Citizens Academy and download the application. The deadline to apply is March 7, 2014.
Writer: Kaitlin Bane, Communication and Media Intern, Contact Info: Cecile Velasco, District Attorney’s Office[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]