Session 1 of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Citizen's Academy started Tuesday, February 26th with 19 students.   Over the course of the academy, participants have attended two-hour long class sessions covering a wide range of topics including 9-1-1 public education, patrol procedures, the Field Officer Training program, criminal law, court procedures, defensive tactics, criminal investigations, accident investigations, sex offender information, communications, narcotics, alcohol enforcement, emergency management, juvenile justice, domestic violence, search and rescue and were treated to rare tours of the Sheriff's Office, the Columbia County Jail, and the Juvenile Justice Center in Walla Walla. Graduation of the first class of students is scheduled for Tuesday evening, May 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the Columbia County Courthouse.  A reception will follow at the Sheriff's Office. Due to overwhelming demand, we will continue to offer the Citizen's Academy bi-annually.  Session 2 of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Citizen's Academy is tentatively scheduled to begin Tuesday, August 5.   If you are interested in attending this training course, please contact Academy Coordinator Tim Quigg at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office at 509-382-2518.  Enrollment forms are available at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.  The minimum age for attendance in the Citizen's Academy is 18, and a criminial history background check is conducted on all applicants.   Class size is limited to 20 students, and the  class is anticipated to fill up quickly.  Be sure to register early in order to reserve space! All photos by Academy Photographer Liz Quigg