Staff
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the bullet-proof glass and security doors of your local law enforcement agencies, you’ve got a chance to find out.
Both the Sweet Home Police Department and Linn County Sheriff’s Office are offering Citizen’s Academies this spring.
I participated in the 11-week LCSO academy last fall. It was an incredible experience and I highly recommend it.
Each class session focused on one or two different areas of the Sheriff’s office. Specialists in each field guided the three-hour sessions.
Most of the sessions took place in a conference room at the Sheriff’s headquarters in Albany. It sounds boring – but it wasn’t. Classes covered different areas, including the patrol divisions, computer crimes, SWAT, the dive team and K9.
Despite having interacted with cops for years as a journalist, I learned a lot. I think the average citizen would find this information valuable as well, but be warned: Some of the topics are harsh.
During the Major Crimes class, we went over a homicide case from beginning to end. A detective walked us through what investigators found at the scene, how they analyzed it, and how they figured out what happened.
I knew that looking behind the scenes of law enforcement wouldn’t be filled with happy fun stories, but this one was kind of rough. What made it bearable was the sensitivity with which the detectives presented the information. The first thing they did was make sure that no one in the class knew the victims we were about to talk about.
There were other touchy subjects ,like child sex abuse, which also played a part in the discussion on computer crime.
While these issues are difficult to learn about, the detectives and deputies made sure to arm us with resources such as how to search for registered sex offenders, protect ourselves from cybercrime and how to start a Neighborhood Watch.
We learned more hands-on skills during off-site field trips to the shooting range and SHPD.
The basic handgun course was taught in the conference room at the sheriff’s office, but the Sunday after, we took a trip out to the shooting range and learned how to properly handle guns and test our aim.
It was my first time handling a weapon that wasn’t made by Nerf or Red Ryder. I saved my target – it turns out, I’m a good shot.
Toward the end of the academy, we visited SHPD to try a training program that presents different scenarios in which an officer may need to shoot.
A life-size scene was projected on the wall and our job was to engage the person in the scene, hopefully de-escalating the situation without anyone getting hurt. Our digital adversaries responded to our vocal commands and we had to react accordingly.
I shot someone at a barbecue for coming at me with a hot spatula. One more reason I should probably stick to Nerf.
Other out-of-the-conference-room experiences included a tour of the 911 call center, which is much smaller than I imagined, and a tour of the Linn County Jail.
The spring academy should include everything I’ve mentioned and more. One thing that has been added to the schedule, based on participant feedback, is a tour of Animal Control.
There was an Animal Control presentation in the fall academy, but not a field trip.
I might have to stop by for a visit on that day.
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Local Citizens Academies
LCSO Citizen’s Academy
Tuesdays, April 5 through June 21, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Main Sheriff’s Office in Albany.
Space is limited, register by March 25.
For more information, email Kori Goff at [email protected].
Sweet Home Police Department Citizen’s Academy
The seven-week academy is held Tuesdays, from March 29 through May 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sweet Home Police Department.
Space is limited, register by March 25.
For more information, contact Gina Riley at [email protected] or (541) 367-5181.
Lebanon Police Department
The eight-week academy is held Tuesdays, starting April 5, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lebanon Justice Center, 40 North 2nd St., Lebanon.