The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office will be holding a “Citizens’ Law Enforcement Academy”, Sheriff Ted Paxton announced today.

The purpose of the Academy, Paxton said, is to educate and inform Forsyth County citizens about the operations of the Sheriff’s Office and what the job of Deputy Sheriff entails.  Also, the Academy will foster better understanding about the operations of the Sheriff’s Office and to improve upon goodwill, he added.

The Academy will consist of nine weekly meetings at various locations.  Each weekly meeting will cover one or more topics, from Administration to Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.).  A few of the topics participants will learn about are Search & Seizure laws, Traffic Stops, Firearms Training and Constitutional law.  

“We’ve designed this curriculum to be as “hands-on” as possible,” Sheriff Paxton added.  “For example, one class will feature role-play during which the student will be asked to deescalate a potentially violent domestic fight,” the Sheriff added.

Students will receive a diploma after successfully completing the course. 

Applications are now available for the first class, which is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 9, 2006.  Applications may be obtained online at the Sheriff’s Office website, www.forsythsheriff.org or by calling Deputy Brooke Mantha at (770) 205-4547.  Anyone with questions should also contact Deputy Mantha by telephone or by email, bamantha@forsythco.com.

Two academies are scheduled for each calendar year.  The second academy will begin on Tuesday, August 9, 2006.  Class size limited to 20 persons.

Application To Academy