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Sheriff engages community through ‘Citizens’ Academy’

By Emanuel Griffin
Posted 8/22/18

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Sheriff engages community through ‘Citizens’ Academy’


Posted

ORANGE PARK – Classrooms are usually filled with students wearing backpacks at St. Johns River State College. However, one was filled with police officers wearing uniforms on Aug. 15, as the Clay County Sheriff’s Office began its new Citizens’ Academy class.

“We typically see people at their worst,” Sheriff Darryl Daniels said. “We don’t see the worst people, but we do see society at its worst. This is a chance for some positive interactions.”

Citizens’ Academy is a program that provides Clay County residents with an in-depth look into what their sheriff’s office does. The 10-week long experience walks its participants through court room proceedings, hostage negotiations and firearm training. This is the second year Citizens’ Academy has existed and will continue to be a semi-annual course.

“I decided to do this because I wanted to understand why certain things happen,” said 46-year-old Clay County resident Josh Dillaberry. “For example, I’ve seen officers driving with no lights on, turn their lights on and turn them off the next minute. So, I want to know about things like that.”

The first session served as an introduction to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Members of the sheriff’s office each gave a presentation about their position within the agency, explained how they contribute to Citizens Academy and told the story of why they became police officers.

“Most people who get into this profession do so because they want to protect and serve,” Daniels said. “We’re never going to get rich in law enforcement. Our enrichment doesn’t come in money but instead comes from the fact we know we’re keeping our community safe.”

The 25 residents participating met the sheriff, signed paperwork and ate free food from Mission BBQ.

“The biggest misconception about the sheriff’s office and its deputies is that we don’t understand our community,” said Chris Padgett, CCSO public information officer. “That’s so far from the truth.”

Padgett is a lifelong resident of Clay. He attended Middleburg High School and now lives on Fleming Island.

“Most of our officers live here in Clay County,” Padgett said. “A large percent of them actually grew up here.”

According to Padgett, Citizens Academy attracts people from all parts of Clay County. The main goal of the academy is to clear up any misconceptions people may have about the office and to create a more educated Clay County. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office wants to continue to cap the program off at 25 seats but receives an increased amount of applications with each class launch.

“You should sign up because you’re a taxpayer,” said Padgett. “You’re paying your taxes to support the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and to not know where your money is going is a shame. It’d be like giving your money away and then never following up to see where it’s going.” Citizens’ Academy takes place twice a year and is available to all residents of Clay County who do not have a criminal record. The next chance to enroll is in the winter. Visit https://www.claysheriff.com/crime-prevention/citizens-academy for more information.