DATE: July 17, 2019         
CONTACT:
Janelle Love
Media Relations Office
301-609-6538 or (240) 419-0646

CCSO Invites Charles County Residents to Participate in 2019 Citizens Police Academy

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for its 2019 Citizens Police Academy (CPA) class, set to begin in September. This 12-week program will begin on September 18, 2019, and will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through December 11, 2019, with the exception of Wednesday, November 27. The classes will be held in various locations, to include the CCSO Headquarters, District 3 Station, Community Services Annex, Crime Lab, Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy, and the Charles County Courthouse.

“We are thrilled to host the Citizens Police Academy again for our fourth year,” said Sheriff Troy Berry. “The CPA is a program we are very proud of. It reinforces police-community relations, and it has been the catalyst for a great partnership with the CPA Alumni Association, which class members can join after they graduate.”

Participants will learn about a wide range of topics including:
•             Patrol Procedures
•             Narcotics Investigations
•             Forensic Evidence
•             Criminal Law
•             Juvenile Issues
•             Use of Force
•             Criminal Investigations
•             Search and Seizure

Participants will get hands-on experiences to include a Firearms Training Simulator (FATS) and crime scene processing. They will also have the opportunity to ride with a police officer and to experience policing from an officer’s perspective. Participation in the Ride-along Program is not required but is strongly encouraged.

The Citizens Police Academy is a valuable opportunity for anyone who is interested in learning more about the realities of policing. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and residents of Charles County. Individuals who wish to apply will be subject to a background check. This program is free of charge. There are a limited number of seats available, so anyone interested in participating in the CPA should submit their application as soon as possible.

Additional information and applications for the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy can be found on our website at www.ccso.us/citizens-police-academy. Applications are due no later than August 31, 2019, and should be mailed to:

Charles County Sheriff’s Office
6915 Crain Highway
PO Box 189
La Plata, MD 20646
Attn: Human Resources

Additional questions about the program or application process should be directed to Captain Kevin Leahy at 301-609-6541.

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The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service law enforcement agency comprised of more than 600 police, corrections and civilian personnel responsible for protecting more than 150,000 residents. The CCSO was accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 2001 has been designated as a CALEA Gold Standard of Excellence agency since 2011. Established in 1658, the CCSO is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the United States. For more information, visit www.ccso.us.

Charles County Crime Solvers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest or indictment of a person responsible for a crime in Charles County. All individuals who provide tips through Crime Solvers will remain anonymous. Anyone with information about an unsolved crime or the location of a fugitive may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app, which can be found in the Android Store and Apple store by searching P3tips. For more information about the P3 program, click on this link: www.p3intel.com.