Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office Accepting Applications for Citizen Police Academy

The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for its upcoming Citizen Police Academy, a program designed to provide community members with an inside look at law enforcement operations, training, and public safety services.

The Citizen Police Academy is a free, 10-week program that offers participants an opportunity to learn directly from deputies, investigators, supervisors, and specialized units while gaining a better understanding of the responsibilities and challenges faced by today’s law enforcement professionals.

Sessions combine classroom instruction, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and discussion to provide a practical overview of Sheriff’s Office operations and encourage greater understanding between law enforcement and the community.

Topics of instruction are expected to include command staff introductions and a facility tour, the hiring and field training process, patrol operations, criminal investigations and crime scene processing, K-9 and drone demonstrations, crisis negotiations and tactical response, and corrections and jail operations. Topics and demonstrations may vary based on instructor availability and operational needs.

The Citizen Police Academy is intended to strengthen partnerships between the Sheriff’s Office and the community, promote transparency and communication, increase understanding of law enforcement procedures, and encourage community involvement in public safety initiatives.

The program will meet every other Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. beginning August 18 through December 22, 2026, at the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.

Participation is open to individuals who are at least 21 years of age and live, work, or attend school in Sangamon County. Applicants must also consent to and successfully complete a limited background investigation.

Class size is limited to 15 participants and applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additional information and application materials are available at:
https://sangamonil.gov/departments/s-z/sheriff/citizen-police-academy