Citizens who wish to volunteer for Sheriff's Office programs such as the Reserve Deputy or Senior Citizens Awareness Network must first graduate from the academy. A free 16-week class begins at the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office January 26th.

Classes all run Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30, and are held in the Range House at the Sheriff's Office at 940 New Salem Highway.

Sgt. Jimmy Cassidy, who coordinates the academy, said citizens learn about aspects of the Sheriff's Office operations, ride along with a deputy, shoot at the firing range and take field trips to learn about related agencies.

"Another benefit is citizens understand just how much the Sheriff's Office really does," Sgt. Cassidy said. "We are responsible for the jail with up to 1,000 inmates a day, the Warrants Division that has 26,000 warrants to serve and a county so big with 618 square miles where deputies must provide safety and security for our citizens."

Other classes include negotiators, K-9, mounted patrol, Felony Arrest Search Tactical Team, Detention and patrol exercises.

Citizens interested in the class may download the application from the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Web page at www.rcsotn.com. For more information, contact Sgt. Cassidy at jcassidy@rcsotn.org or 615-904-3019.