The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is inviting the public to attend its Citizen’s Academy to learn more about the office’s efforts and what it takes to be a sheriff’s deputy.

According to EPCSO spokesperson Sgt. Kurt Smith, the Citizen’s Academy is a five-week program designed to allow the public to interact with the office, become educated on its different functions, participate in reality-based training and learn more about the EPCSO from the perspective of its deputies.

“It’s a chance for the citizens of El Paso County to come and learn what the sheriff’s office does for the community,” Smith said.

“People can get an idea from the deputies’ perspective of what it’s like to serve our community, the resources we provide for the community and the services we have available to our citizens. It’s also a chance for us to be transparent on what we do and why we do things.”

In an effort to promote transparency of the EPCSO’s inner workings, Smith said the Academy will work to explore the different units of the sheriff’s office including investigations, patrol, corrections, SWAT and the K-9 unit.

Additionally, participants will receive tours of county facilities including the courthouse and jail, and will undergo select, reality-based training exercises surrounding traffic stops and working with those experiencing a mental health crisis.

The Citizen’s Academy lasts for five weeks, beginning on Sept. 10, and meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

According to Smith, registration for the Citizen’s Academy is open until Aug. 10. Those wishing to apply will have to undergo a background check to be admitted.

To learn more about the EPCSO’s Citizen’s Academy, Click or Tap Here.