COMMUNITY OUTREACH SECTION

The Community Outreach Section consists of the Community Relations, Volunteer Unit, and the Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Unit. Community Outreach and Community Relations is a vital component of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, as they promote safety and education to Forsyth County citizens and businesses. Problem-Oriented Policing was developed to improve strategies that prevent and reduce crime. Our Volunteer Unit is connected to both of these units through hundreds of hours each month, helping patrol throughout the county, and providing manpower and support through community events.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS UNIT

The Community Relations Unit serves to promote safety and education to the citizens and businesses of Forsyth County and is a vital component of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. The FCSO Community Relations Unit is responsible for coordinating and delivering special classes and programs that work to educate the community and to better build the relationship between the community and the Sheriff’s Office. Along with the many courses and programs offered by FCSO Community Relations, they also partner with other organizations throughout the year and attend many other community events.

CLASSES

Women’s Self Defense

This course is designed to teach women situational awareness by reviewing case studies of previous abductions. Some hands-on training is provided but limited. This class is designed for women and reserved for women only. (Teenagers 14+ can only attend at parent’s discretion due to mature content.)

CRASE (Citizens Response to Active Shooter Event)

Intended to teach what to do/not do in the case of an active shooter. The skills taught are to Avoid, Deny and Defend-STAY ALIVE and Survive!

Stranger Danger

Educates and empowers children ages 4-11 with knowledge and skills that will help them be safer from various crimes against children.

PROGRAMS

Seniors and Lawmen Together (SALT)

Open to all Forsyth County Senior Citizens and held monthly. Each month features different speakers and different topics pertaining to senior safety.

Citizens Law Enforcement Academy (CLEA)

The program closely follows the actual hands-on training that deputies undergo. Topics include constitutional law, conducting traffic stops, judgmental use of force, K9 and S.W.A.T. demonstrations, ride alongs with deputies, and much more. Applications are accepted twice a year, watch our Facebook page for those dates. Contact our Community Outreach Section for an application and details.

Teen Interception Program (TIP)

With the sole purpose of saving teen lives by redirecting them to make better choices and to live successful lives. This seven-week program includes several key speakers and trips to a funeral home, the Forsyth County Jail, and a homeless compound in Atlanta. For more information visit the T.I.P. page.

Neighborhood Watch & Business Watch

This program provides information and specific actions to homeowners that can help protect themselves and their homes. Information covered also includes solutions to common neighborhood problems.

The Business watch program is an offshoot of the Neighborhood Watch concept. The purpose of establishing a Business Watch program is to help educate business proprietors about various precautions they can take in an effort to deter crime. For more information visit the POP page.

S.T.O.P.P.E.D. Program

If a driver under the age of 18 is operating a vehicle that is stopped by a sheriff's deputy for any reason, our Records Management System (RMS) will flag the citation for a deputy to mail out a letter to the parent/guardian. For more information visit the S.T.O.P.P.E.D. PAGE.

PUBLIC SAFETY CADET PROGRAM

The Public Safety Cadet program is designed to attract young, well-qualified men and women to participate in an organized on the job training program that will prepare them for a career in law enforcement. To learn more, visit the PUBLIC SAFETY CADET PAGE.

If you have questions about programs listed above or would like to request a class, program, or speaker, please email: SOcommrelations@forsythco.com or contact one of the Community Relations team members below.

POP Unit

PROBLEM-ORIENTED POLICING (POP) UNIT

Our Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) Unit was developed to improve strategies that prevent and reduce crime. POP Deputies analyze crimes and problem areas within the community and search for effective solutions. Communication is key for our POP team so they spend a lot of time out in the community talking with citizens and business owners in Forsyth County. The POP Unit also heads up the FCSO Business Watch program.

BUSINESS WATCH PROGRAM

The Business Watch program is much like the Neighborhood Watch concept. The purpose of establishing a Business Watch Program is to help educate business proprietors about various precautions they can take in the effort to deter crime. The objective of the business watch program is to reduce crime in commercial areas through heightened awareness and direct communication between the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and local businesses.

In 2015, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) reported just under 12,000 robberies and almost 64,000 burglaries across the state of Georgia.

(source: Georgia Bureau of investigation-2015 crime statistics summary report)

Objective of the business watch program:

The program's objective is to educate business owners and their employees in an effort to deter crime by improving communication between businesses in the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, and educate business owners and employees through the development of programs and presentations that will address current crime trends or concerns.

Training topics include, but are not limited to:

Safety in the workplace
Self-defense classes
General crime prevention
Identity theft prevention
Street gang awareness
Workplace drug awareness
Business security service
Armed robbery prevention and survival
Check and credit card fraud prevention
Shoplifting prevention awareness

Benefits for business owners:

The Business Watch Program will help build relationships between business owners, employees, and the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. Relationships will be forged among businesses located near one another through better communication. Crime prevention Deputies will hold meetings with loss prevention, store managers, and owners to share information and discuss trends affecting business safety.

For more information on the Business Watch or the Neighborhood Watch Programs,

please contact our Problem-Oriented Policing unit: SOPOP@forsythco.com

GET INVOLVED!

BECOME A RESERVE DEPUTY

At the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office, we take pride in the men and women dedicated to keeping the citizens of Forsyth County safe every day. We also pride ourselves in those that desire to help in this endeavor without receiving anything in return. FCSO is fortunate to have numerous volunteers and reserve Deputies that drop everything when called upon to serve however needed.

Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Reserve Deputies are located all across the county. They hold regular jobs within the community and they have a strong desire to contribute something back to the community. A unique feature of these people is the fact that they volunteer their spare time to the Sheriff's Office.

Not everyone is cut out for this kind of involvement so all of us should be proud to have individuals who live beside us and are capable of this type of volunteerism. Individual candidates must pass the same qualifications and training as full-time officers in order to be approved. If qualified, you will become part of the unique group a volunteer Peace Officers that provide a variety of public service functions to enhance and supplement the day to day activities of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.

RESERVE DEPUTIES & VOLUNTEERS

Unit charter

Augment the following Forsyth County sheriffs office divisions in the execution of their duties with special attention to:

Uniform patrol division
Detention facility
Court services for magistrate, state and superior court security
Warrants and civil process
Communications
Respond to our special callouts
Searching for missing persons, escaped/ fleeing prisoners/ suspects
Disasters- plane crashes, major fires, gas leaks, power outages, storm damage, etc.

Training

Training for reserve deputy’s includes:

Department required in-service training
Twice a year firearms requalification
Classroom instruction
Field training officer program

Perspective applicants

Each Reserve Unit member undergoes the same stringent screening process as regular full-time Deputies to ensure that only the most qualified personnel are entrusted with the publics' safety.

The Reserve Unit donates its resources and talents to the citizens of Forsyth County by devoting many hours of personal service towards enhancing the services and operations of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.

Entry requirements

The following requirements must be met and/or successfully completed:

Screening interviews
Entry-level test
Background check
Polygraph exam
Psychological exam
Drug test
Reserve Unit board approval
Ability to work a minimum of 10+ hours per month

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office welcomes volunteers from our community. Our volunteers are vital to the day-to-day operations that take place in each of our offices. We have many volunteer opportunities, which include day to day volunteers, our Citizens Helping In Policing (CHIP) Unit, and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

BE A CHAPLAIN WITH US!

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office relies on our ordained/licensed clergy volunteers to serve as a Chaplains of the agency, in service to both agency employees, as well as citizens of the community in times of distress. Our Chaplains possess a caring & understanding attitude toward all people regardless of race, sex, or religious beliefs, and they are willing & available to respond to any situation where the presence of a Chaplain could benefit. The goal of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Chaplain Corp is to provide trusted clergy for those needing to confide and/or seek assistance/guidance. The Chaplain Corp is staffed by volunteers who desire to minister to the unique issues facing law enforcement personnel and their families, and provide service in the affairs of the citizens of Forsyth County, as needed. If you or someone you know would like to become a Chaplain of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, CLICK HERE!

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT)

The Community Emergency Response Team program teaches residents of Forsyth County how to prepare for and assist first responders in the event of a natural (tornado, earthquake, major winter storm) or man-made disaster. CERT students receive training in disaster preparedness, first aid, fire safety, and urban and rural search and rescue. After the basic CERT training class, students are encouraged to attend monthly training classes and to assist with community events throughout the year. Before being accepted into the CERT Program, students must complete an application packet and submit to a criminal background check.

CERT APPLICATION

CITIZENS HELPING IN POLICING (CHIP)

The mission of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Helping In Policing (CHIP) is to help improve the quality of life for Forsyth County residents and visitors by providing a visible presence and by observing and reporting suspicious activities. This mission is accomplished through a collaborative partnership with the residents of Forsyth County and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. The CHIP team members help the Sheriff’s Office and the community in many ways. This includes assisting with special events, traffic direction, residential and business checks, park patrol, and other types of support functions. Prior to being accepted into the CHIP Program and attending the basic CHIP training class, CHIP applicants must complete either the CERT training class, Citizens Law Enforcement Academy, or be a retired Law Enforcement Officer. CHIP applicants must be 21 years of age, attend an in-person interview, complete the CHIP application packet, and submit to a criminal background check, and drug screen prior to being accepted.

AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE (ARES)

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service Team is a trained, FCC-licensed group of Ham radio operators available to provide emergency communications for the County’s Public Safety Organizations in the event of a localized or widespread communication failure. ARES Team members also provide communications for CERT Teams during community events throughout the year. Those interested in joining the ARES team must hold a valid Ham Radio license. ARES members are encouraged to attend monthly training classes and assist with community events throughout the year. Before being accepted into the ARES Program, students must complete an application packet and submit to a criminal background check.

CREDENTIALED ADMINISTRATIVE

The Credentialed Administrative Volunteer Unit is a group of men and women who assist with ‘behind the scenes’ clerical duties and/or manage our interoffice mail delivery. Prior to being accepted into the CHIP Program and attending the basic CHIP training class, CHIP applicants must complete either the CERT training class, Citizens Law Enforcement Academy, or be a retired Law Enforcement Officer. CHIP applicants must be 21 years of age, attend an in-person interview, complete the CHIP application packet, and submit to a criminal background check, and drug screen prior to being accepted.

CIVILIAN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

The volunteer Civilian Criminal Investigation Unit is a group of men and women who assist Detectives with ‘behind the scenes’ clerical duties specific to Investigations. Prior to being accepted into the Volunteer Civilian Criminal Investigation Division Unit you must complete either the CERT training class, Citizens Law Enforcement Academy, or be a retired Law Enforcement Officer. Civilian Criminal Investigation Division Unit applicants must be 21 years of age, attend an in-person interview, complete the Civilian Criminal Investigation Unit application packet, and submit to a criminal background check, and drug screen prior to being accepted.

For more information about becoming a Reserve Deputy or Volunteer at FCSO contact:

Sergeant Pete Sabella

678.780.1524

PJSabella@forsythco.com

For more information about Internship Opportunities at FCSO contact:

Sergeant Brittany West

770.781.2222, ext. 9884

BLWest@forsythco.com