Welcome to the Cherokee Sheriff's Office Citizen's Academy. The purpose of the Sheriff's Citizen's Academy is to provide you with a deeper understanding of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to be a deputy in modern day law enforcement. The Sheriff's Office Citizen's Academy is a eight week course, designed to better educate the citizens of Cherokee County about the Sheriff's Office and our operations. This event is only open to residents of Cherokee County. As a student you will have class once a week, lasting two to three hours. There will also be one Saturday class for firearms training.

The Citizen's Academy is a great opportunity for you to meet and connect with the men and women who serve you every day. All of the instructors you will have over the next eight weeks are Sheriff's Office employees.

The classes offered at the Citizen's Academy include both classroom lecture and hands-on exercises. For example, during patrol week, you will have a class on patrol, with classroom presentation. After the class portion you will be given scenarios as well as have the opportunity to sign up to go on a ride along.

On top of learning about road operations you will also get lessons on the Adult Detention Center, K9, Criminal Investigations Division, and Special Operations. We will also have one Saturday class which will cover firearms. This day will include both classroom training and live fire training.

The end goal is to expose you, the citizen, to as many aspects of law enforcement as possible during the program. We will strive to offer you a glimpse into everything from patrol to investigations, weapons and defensive tactics, to crime scene management. While we will not go into depth on any one area, you will leave with a solid introduction of the work the Sheriff's Office performs. Each section will be instructed by personnel actively assigned to that area to allow you to meet as many Sheriff's Office employees as possible.