TIGER– Rabun County residents will get to see first-hand what a day in the life is like at the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office during the upcoming Citizens’ Academy. Those who attend will learn about the Office of the Sheriff and how it impacts the lives of citizens and those visiting Rabun County.
The free Academy is a seven-week class held one day a week on Thursday for two hours Oct. 6-Nov. 17 from 6-8 p.m.
Registration is open but space is limited. Visit the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office at 56 Boen Creek Road, Tiger or call the office at 706-782-3612 to sign up. The registration process is quick and free.
Since these spaces are limited, participants are strongly encouraged to attend each week for the entire seven weeks as a consideration to the exclusive number who can sign up at one time.
“I am pleased to be able to offer this course again to our citizens. This course will teach you about the history of the Office of the Sheriff and take you through the day-to-day operations of the office,” said Sheriff Chad Nichols. “Learning about all aspects from the jail, to patrol, to criminal investigations, the courts and everything in between, you will finish this course knowing everything you wish to know about your sheriff’s office. So set aside a couple of hours one night a week and become ambassadors of the office I love, the Office of the Sheriff,” Nichols said.
The class will focus on various operations of the sheriff’s office including command staff; patrol division; detention center; Criminal Investigations Division (CID); K-9s; School Resource Deputies; civil processes; court services; and other agencies.
“You will learn how (K-9 teams and handlers) train during the class and the purpose of meaningful work in the community,” according to a statement from the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office. “Participants will tour the Rabun County Detention Center and speak with Captain Darnell and visit where the inmates are housed. This will be your opportunity if you have always wanted to learn more about criminal investigations. You speak to some of the lead investigators about the steps to working a crime scene, and they will provide answers to questions about the process,” according to the statement.
The class will also cover current issues facing law enforcement in today’s culture and how departments navigate around budgeting constraints, said Lt. Mark Gerrells.
Chief Deputy Scott Cheek said the class is educational and informative, giving an in-depth overview of how the sheriff’s office operates and why and what response protocols are used during different scenarios. He added that the course is eye-opening and paints a broader knowledge for community members about the daily operations of the office.
Cheek said it also builds a relationship between the community and law enforcement.
“This gives us an opportunity to meet the community and citizens of Rabun County,” Cheek said.