April 2017 will bring forth the first ever St. John Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy!

This has been my goal since I took office in 2012. The officers and I are excited to share the details of our second life with our citizens. Our first life, of course, is family.

This academy will take community policing to a whole new level in St. John. This ten-week session will be the perfect opportunity for Jane and John Q. Citizen to get answers to all of their questions regarding law enforcement, the do’s and don’ts and the why’s and why not’s.

During this academy, members of the department will provide presentations covering a wide variety of topics throughout the department. We will make you knowledgeable about our hiring practices, including those we can and cannot hire.

We pride our department on requiring drug testing, criminal background checks and polygraph testing before you can become a member. We will show you the ongoing training and annual certifications that each officer must maintain in order to be re-commissioned.

I am personally excited to show the public the vast resources we have acquired in the past five years like the Bearcat and mobile command, purchased mainly with grant funds for the protection of our parish.

Other subjects that will be covered throughout the weekly sessions include information about our specialized departments like the Criminal Investigation Department, traffic division, narcotics, internal affairs, public relations, sex offender registration, corrections, crisis management unit, CSI and 911/communications, including a tour of our newly upgraded 911 center.

We plan to give full financial disclosure of where taxpayers’ money is spent, for example salaries, uniforms, equipment, body armor, weapons and tasers. And yes, there will be a live Taser demonstration!

During my first term, we have made tremendous progress toward improving officer safety and training; in addition, much has been invested to upgrade faculties and technology in order to keep up with the ever-changing world we live in.

We would like to challenge citizens to get valuable knowledge and understanding of law enforcement other than what is shown on television or at the movies.

The classes will be held every Thursday evening, beginning on April 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. at our Lanard Robinet Multi-purpose room at Patrol Headquarters. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

We are challenging you to make the commitment to register and help our community by obtaining a realistic behind-the-scenes overview of law enforcement. The BEST incentive I can offer is that this entire course is FREE and open to the public.

In closing, I would like to thank all of the schools that participated in our Distinguished Gentlemen’s Club. Applications were completed and submitted to SJSO.

This program will allow law enforcement and young men to interact in a positive environment, thereby strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and our youth.

We are asking for citizens or organized groups to volunteer to join in this endeavor because just like fighting crime, SJSO cannot be successful without the help of the community.

Mike Tregre is sheriff of St. John the Baptist Parish. He can be reached at sheriff@stjohnsheriff.org.