New DeKalb County Sheriff Andy Sullivan announces the 27th Sheriff’s Citizens Police Academy will be held in 2022.
The Sheriff’s Office and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau have sponsored the Academy since its inception in 1996.
The Academy is scheduled to begin Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022 and will conclude with a graduation celebration at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau on March 24, 2022.
Classes are from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for 10 consecutive Thursday evenings and will be held primarily at the Legislative Center in Sycamore and the Community Outreach Building in DeKalb.
The Academy is not meant to prepare individuals for a law enforcement career but is an educational opportunity for DeKalb County citizens. It has been developed to give citizens a realistic view of the criminal justice system in the county, at the same time giving Sheriff staff the opportunity to interact with citizens in a positive atmosphere. Citizens from all walks of life have enjoyed the Academy.
Instructors for the Academy include deputies from the Sheriff’s Office and other segments within the criminal justice system. Academy topics cover several areas including arrest procedures, criminal law, investigations, domestic violence, traffic stops, telecommunications, corrections, judicial perspective, and active shooter response for citizens.
Coordinators for the Academy are Deputy Sean Conlon, Detective Jeremy Grubbs and Sergeant Zach Oltmanns.
Those interested in attending the Citizens Police Academy may contact the Sheriff’s Office for an application by calling, 815-895-7260 or stopping at the Sheriff’s Office at 150 N. Main St., Sycamore. The application can be downloaded at: www.dekalbcounty.org under Citizen Police Academy.
There is no registration fee, however, class size is limited.
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and live or work within DeKalb County. Basic background checks are conducted on all applicants.
The deadline for registration is Dec. 27. Early registration is strongly encouraged.