Sheriff to Offer 2 Citizen Academies

Residents of Camarillo and western Ventura County who want to know firsthand the rigors of police work will have the opportunity to learn alongside officers during two Sheriff’s Department-sponsored citizen academies in March.

Both academies are free and designed to give members of the public an inside look at law enforcement. Students will get an officer’s-eye-view of the job from a patrol car and tour the County Jail in Ventura. They will also see demonstrations by the SWAT hostage and bomb teams and the communications center.

During the 12-week courses, participants will tour the department’s crime lab and learn about the history of law enforcement in the county.

Academy participants must be at least 21 years old, live or work in the county, have no felony convictions and no misdemeanor convictions within the last year.

The Citizen Academy for residents of western Ventura County, including El Rio, Saticoy and northern Ventura Avenue will meet 12 consecutive Wednesdays beginning March 5, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Ventura County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura.

Applications can be obtained by calling Deputy Leslie Daily or sheriff’s service technician Joe Medina at 654-2668.

The Camarillo Citizen Academy runs Thursdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. beginning March 27 at the Camarillo Police Department community room, 3701 E. Las Posas Road. To apply call the Crime Prevention Bureau at 388-5130.