‘Police Academy’ ?in Sonoma

The Sonoma Valley Citizen’s Academy will be held at the Sonoma Police Station every Wednesday night from April 19 to May 24.|

An inside look at the working of the Sonoma Police Department, and their interaction with the Sonma County Sheriff, will be offered to Valley residents in a seven-week course starting next month – a sort of “Police Academy” for locals.

“It’s for anyone interested in learning more about law enforcement and how things work out here,” said Darcy Proctor, the administrative aide at the front desk of the station on First Street West. “We want people who are interested to see how things work.”

The Sonoma Valley Citizen’s Academy will be held at the Sonoma Police Station every Wednesday night from 6 to 9 p.m. from April 19 to May 24 – with a special day-long visit to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office in Santa Rosa on May 20. It will be a first for locals, though similar programs have been run in Santa Rosa.

During the academy, participants will learn about police ethics, communications, crime prevention, criminal law, the correctional system, and the department’s investigation units. Academy classes are taught by Sheriff’s Office executives and veteran personnel.

Proctor said that many of the deputies who will teach the classes will either be currently stationed at the Valley Sub-Station, or working now with Sonoma Police (which subcontracts with the County Sheriff for personnel and resources), or will have prior experience in Sonoma.

“So when people want to know how Henry-1 works,” said Proctor, referring to the rescue helicopter, “the person that’s going to come out is Sgt. Dave Thompson – he used to be the sergeant for Henry-1, but he also worked in Sonoma Valley. We’re trying to bring people who used to be in Sonoma Valley.”

The Sheriff’s Office has recently ramped up the Coffee with a Cop program, giving people a chance to interact informally with uniformed officers at a local café – there was one in February at the Sonoma Peet’s – and this is another effort to engage directly with the public in a non-confrontational way.

The program is not designed as a recruiting tool for the Sheriff’s Office, nor is it intended to replace regular law enforcement training. “We just want people who are interested and finding out more about how law enforcement works out here,” said Proctor.

Potential candidates for the academy must meet certain criteria: at least 18 years of age, a resident or worker in Sonoma County, with no prior felonies and no misdemeanor arrests in the last year, and be able to pass a backround check. Members of civic groups or community organizations are encouraged to apply. Enrollment is limited to approximately 20 students.

It’s a free program, and light snacks will be served. “We’re not trying to sell anybody anything, just show what we have and what we do,” said Proctor.

The sessions will be held at the Sonoma Police Dept., 175 First St. West. Applications are available at sonomasheriff.org/sonoma-valley-citizens-academy/ or the Sonoma Police station, and will be accepted until April 3.

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