Organization: Warren County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia)
Period: September 18, 2025 – November 13, 2025 (weekly)

I was enrolled in a 10-week citizen program that met for 2–3 hours each week to provide an inside look at law enforcement operations. The sessions include classroom instruction, demonstrations, and facility tours. As part of the course, I have already been certified in “Stop the Bleed.”

Topics covered so far include patrol operations, crime scene processing, domestic and sexual assault response, crisis intervention and mental health, first aid, criminal investigations, juvenile law, defensive tactics and use of force, officer survival, K-9 demonstrations, and a tour of the station. Upcoming sessions will address subjects such as community policing programs, dispatch and 911 ECC, court and jail operations, firearms demonstration, and other law-enforcement support functions.

In addition to the academy, I was also invited to the TRIAD Senior Expo where I met a few of my friends from the senior center, and learned quite a bit about different resources offered to our most experienced residents.

The citizens academy is designed to deepen public understanding of law enforcement behind the scenes, build trust, and strengthen community participation in public safety.