Starting on Sept. 10 at its Luling headquarters building, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office will bring back its free Citizen’s Academy for any person who lives or works in St. Charles Parish – giving participants a chance to see up close how the sheriff’s office operates.
The sheriff’s office started the Citizens Academy in 2011 and hosted it every year except for a pause during the pandemic and a hiatus last year.
“[Last year], we had a relatively new chief and were restructuring the administration and command staff,” said Sgt. Jenni Barrette, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
In 2023, 19 residents attended the program. Barrette said the sheriff’s office has kept the program going because of community involvement and the fact that attendees of the program have spread the word about how much they enjoyed it.
The 10-week Citizens Academy gives participants a behind-the-scenes view of the sheriff’s office, from how its patrol division uses its K-9 or marine units to complete their jobs to how its Criminal Investigation Division processes crime scenes. The course also teaches residents about internet crimes and provides a tour of its 911 communications call center.
Barrette said attendees of the program will see SWAT, drone and robot demonstration.
“They will receive presentations and demonstrations from the different divisions within the sheriff’s office and information about the programs we offer,” she said.
Barrette said one of the biggest takeaways for graduates of the program is the extent of the programs the sheriff’s office offers.
“The didn’t realize the number of divisions at the sheriff’s office,” she said. “For example, a deputy attends court with a domestic violence victim, the relationship a detective forms with a victim’s family.”
The program’s sessions, which start Sept. 10 and go through Nov. 5, are held on Wednesdays from 5:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. Individual sessions typically include a demonstration by three different departments from within the Sheriff’s Office.
An application is required, and attendees must meet a short list of requirements to attend, such as being 18 years or older and able to commit to attend all classes.
