More than 40 Rutherford County residents graduated recently from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy.

As part of the 15-week class, citizens rode a shift with patrol deputies, fired handguns at the range, participated in role playing exercises and toured the facility.

Sheriff Robert Arnold said the class provides citizens an in-depth look at the Sheriff’s Office.

“Citizens can learn how we operate and the many and varied services we provide for Rutherford County ,” Sheriff Arnold said.

Applications are being taken for the next class that begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13 at the Sheriff’s Office at 940 New Salem Highway in Murfreesboro . Classes are free. Applications may be obtained at the sheriff’s office Information Center or the sheriff’s Web site at http://www.rutherfordcountytn.gov/so/ under the Community Service Unit.

To be eligible, citizens must be at least 18 years old and live or work in Rutherford County .

Citizens will learn about the vast number of responsibilities of the Sheriff’s Office including serving warrants and maintaining the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center .

Class members will take field trips to Juvenile Detention, the Emergency Medical Services’ Special Operations Response Team, the Judicial Building and the horse barn where the Mounted Patrol horses are sheltered.

Deputy Chief Virgil Gammon will discuss the history of the sheriff’s office. Citizens will listen to various speakers ranging from narcotics, gangs, Interstate Crime Enforcement, hostage negotiations and the Cold Case unit. Citizens will tour the jail and new kitchen. During the gun range class, students will respond to different scenarios.

The class is required for citizens who want to be reserve officers for the Sheriff’s Office.

Want to Take the Class?

For more information, contact Sgt. Jimmy Cassidy at 904-3019.

Above Photo: Sheriff Robert Arnold, front row, left, congratulates graduates of the spring Sheriff’s Citizens Academy . From left, front row, are Sheriff Arnold, Emily Parker, Darlene Coburn, Ramona Flaherty, Sue Moore, Bethany Roberson and Sarah Parker; second row, Patrick Smith, Reynaldo Laureano, Randell Smith Jr., Virgil Flaherty, Jim Carter, Chris Nored, Linda Jenkins, Kim Driver, Jimmy Driver and Sgt. Jimmy Cassidy ; back row, Deputy Jim Noe , Gary Winston, Jeff Crowell, Kyle Bratcher, Tony Hughes, Jim Martin, Amanda Reeves, Renea Barton, Bill Wilson, Dwayne Sadler, Kirk Bowker and Robert Henderson. Not shown are Laketa Walker, Pat Turner, Richard Jackson, Tim Pickel, Daniel Epright, Mark Swicord, Mike Tapp, Claudia Synnatzschke and Stephanie Henley.

Source:

Lisa Marchesoni

Public information officer

Rutherford County Sheriff's Office