The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office honored graduates of their Citizen’s Academy at a banquet on Oct. 27. During the academy, participants studied and experienced various facets of the local judicial system and law enforcement agencies. Pictured are graduate Philip Huber and Citizens Academy Coordinator Captain Robbie Taylor.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office honored 18 of their 5th annual Citizen’s Academy graduates on Oct. 27 at a banquet at Little Bo Club in Rockingham.
“This gives us a chance to show the community all of the responsibilities required of a Sheriff and his staff,” Sheriff Dale Furr said. “Hopefully these graduates, and previous graduates, will act as ambassadors for us and let others know how hard the Sheriff’s Office works.”
The graduates attended sessions over an eight-week period that included topics such as criminal investigation, narcotics investigation, jail administration, civil administration and demonstrations by the Special Response Team, K-9’s, Judges, Magistrates and the District Attorney.
According to Robbie Taylor with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the participants learned many facets of the criminal justice process and job responsibilities of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
“I never realized how much the Sheriff’s Office did,” Justin Chappell, one of the graduates said. “The job requires much more than I thought.”
The 18 participants were Richard Doctor, Dottie Chavis, Joyce Brown, James Harris, Justin Chappell, Philip Huber, Howard Richardson, Mary Richardson, Elizabeth Hester, Naseka Young, Adraina Goodwin, Harold Wood, Elizabeth Davis, Dian Fernandez, Bobby Hornbuckle, Wendi Hinson, Billy Thompson, and Diane Thompson.
“It is nice to see how the book theories are placed into practice,” Elizabeth Hester, a Criminal Justice Student at RCC and Citizen’s Academy graduate said.
After graduation, the graduates received several souvenirs, according to Taylor. They received a CD with pictures taken during the sessions, a Citizen’s Academy t-shirt, letter of appreciation and a certificate with an 8x10 picture of the participant with Sheriff Dale B. Furr.
The graduates also received an opportunity to ride along with deputies upon completion of the program.
The citizen’s academy was first implemented in 2005 and has been viewed by Sheriff Furr and his staff as a huge success.
Over 100 people have graduated from the class since its inception.
Capt. Robbie Taylor is the coordinator and lead instructor for the program.
Captain Taylor said that he has already had interest from citizens regarding next year’s academy.
Next years academy will begin in September and applications will be available after June of next year. The applications will be available at the Sheriff’s Office Web site at www.richmondcountysheriff.net or at the Sheriff’s Office.
Potential applicants for the academy must pass a background check and there is no fee for the course.
Captain Taylor said he would like to thank all the deputies and guests that participated in the sessions. A special thanks to Gene Shutt of Camp Millstone and Georgia Cagle of the Little Bo Club for all their assistance.
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