From top left: TWC Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Dr. Bill Watts; McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy; TWC Criminal Justice Instructor Tad Roberts; TWC Behavioral Science Department Chair Linda Garza
Tennessee Wesleyan College is partnering with the McMinn County Sheriff’s Department to offer a Citizen’s Law Enforcement Academy course this fall. It is designed to provide insight into the policies and operations of criminal justice agencies and allow participants to share ideas related to improving the quality of life for the citizens of our community. The course is open to TWC students as well as to the general public, and it will be offered at no cost to local citizens.
“It’s something we’re really excited about,” McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy said. “The outreach that it provides is worth it to us. You can’t put a price on that.”
This 10-week program will be offered during the upcoming Fall 2015 semester on Thursday nights from 5:30-8 p.m. at the McMinn County Justice Center. Class will start on Aug. 27 and run through Nov. 5.
The first Citizen’s Police Academy was created in 1997 by Athens Police Department Captain Frank Horning, a TWC alum, and was offered as a joint effort between APD and TWC. This year’s course will include special presentations from the Athens Police Department, the McMinn County Sheriff’s Department, and other local and state criminal justice agencies on a variety of topics, including crime scene investigations, use of force, firearms safety, ethical standards, and more. As part of the course, students will also participate in a ride-along with a Sheriff’s deputy.
“It’s a way for people to get a little insight into law enforcement training and what officers face,” Sheriff Guy said. “You get an inside look at everything from why an officer approaches a car the way he does, what constitutes a lawful stop, and use of force. It’s good for us because it brings people into the office, and they get to know the officers. It builds a rapport with the community.”
Interested applicants may contact the McMinn County Sheriff’s Department for application information or e-mail TWC Criminal Justice Instructor Tad Roberts at dtroberts@twcnet.edu for more information about the academy. The application deadline for citizens is Aug. 20, but there are a limited number of spots available. The Sheriff’s Department will conduct background checks on all course participants, and all students will be required to provide a copy of their driver’s license and proof of health insurance.