Lexington County: Citizens Academy

I recently presented certificates to eight men and seven women who successfully completed the 11-week Lexington County Public Safety Citizens Academy.

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department implemented the Citizens Academy program in April 1996 in order to provide residents with an in-depth understanding about how our agency protects and serves citizens in one of South Carolina’s fastest growing counties.

The next session of the Public Safety Citizens Academy will begin on Tuesday, August 9. Classes will be held between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. every Tuesday.

In order to be eligible for enrollment in the Public Safety Citizens Academy, you must be at least 18 years old and reside in Lexington County. Persons who have been convicted of serious crimes are not eligible for the program.

Citizens who want to apply for the Public Safety Citizens Academy or who have questions concerning the program can contact Sheriff’s Department Administrative Assistant Lori Drafts at her office at (803) 785-2557 or via e-mail at ldrafts@lcsd.sc.gov.

Lexington County has implemented a unified chain of command to plan and execute a multi-disciplinary public safety response in the event of a critical incident. The Sheriff’s Department coordinates planning, training and equipment purchases for public safety agencies in order to enhance homeland security in Lexington County.

The Public Safety Citizens Academy consists of a hands-on course of instruction concerning law enforcement, fire and EMS operations in a large, fast-growing county. The program reflects our agency’s mission of providing professional law enforcement services that enhance the quality of life for all people in Lexington County.