Sheriff’s Office Announces Next Citizen’s Police Academies
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will be holding its next Citizen’s Police Academies starting in February and we are looking for people who are interested in learning more about law enforcement and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Classes will begin the week of Feb. 5 and will continue through graduation the week of March 14. There will be three separate academies held during that time — one each in the Lower, Middle and Upper Keys.
Attendees will be asked to commit to spending one night a week between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. They will also be asked to participate in at least one ride-along with a deputy during the academy period. All participants will be asked to attend the last session at the Sheriff’s Office hanger at the Marathon airport. Otherwise classes will be held in the individual district holding the academy.
In the Upper Keys, classes will meet at the Roth Building in Tavernier.
In the Middle Keys, classes will meet at the Sheriff’s Office Aviation Hanger in Marathon.
In the Lower Keys, classes will meet at the Florida Keys Community College on Stock Island.
“If you have always wanted to know more about law enforcement this is a terrific opportunity,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “We’ve held academies like this for the past several years and everyone who has attended really enjoyed themselves. We don’t just stand in a classroom and lecture; you will have the opportunity to have a hands-on law enforcement experience if you attend one of these academies.”
Classes will include:
An orientation and introduction to patrol procedures
A tour of one of the jail facilities
Introduction to weapons: Simunitions™ and Taser™
Traffic/Felony stops
Crime Scene Investigations, including a hands on mock crime scene
Building searches
Introduction to specialty units: SWAT, Bomb, Dive, Major Crimes and Special Investigations
Space is limited, so anyone who is interested should contact the captain in the area where they wish to attend.
Upper Keys: Captain Don Fanelli, 305-853-3211 or [email protected], or Captain Corey Bryan, 305-664-6480 or [email protected]
Middle Keys: Captain Don Hiller, [email protected], 305-289-2430.
Lower Keys: Captain Don Catala, 305-745-3184 or [email protected]