Plans are in the works to form a Citizens Academy through the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office. A Citizens Academy is exactly what it sounds like, a police academy for average citizens. “Class members will go through scenarios and training similar to what police officers go through before becoming certified,” shares the Sheriff’s Office. “Citizen Academies have been very successful in agencies on the Wasatch Front. It gives people who are interested in what we do and possibly interested in the career, a little insight into our training and the situations we are faced with.” The first class is expected to begin in January and will be for citizens ages 18 and older. The first class will be limited to 20 people and the academy application will soon be available on the Uintah County Sheriff’s website. Upon completion, some of those in the Citizens Academy will be used to form a citizens review board, which is among Sheriff Norton’s goals.
