The Story County Sheriff’s Office will hold its first Citizens Academy beginning this month.

The program is part of an effort by Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald and the department to improve community knowledge about law enforcement.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to let the public see what we’re responsible for,” said Cpt. Gary Foster. “It’s the perfect opportunity for us to show the public where their tax dollars are going and what it takes to provide law enforcement services to the citizens of Story County.”

Twenty participants will be selected to attend the first program. Classes will start on Jan. 25 and will meet Tuesday nights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

During the 11-week program, a wide variety of material will be covered. The first 10 weeks each will feature a different department division. The last week is the program’s graduation. Personnel from each respective division will be involved in the training process.

The program will include such topics as recruitment and administration, communications and 911, traffic enforcement, the canine unit, use of force in pursuits, criminal investigations, jail operations, searches and fingerprints, support services, special units, hostage negotiations and firearms.

Some hands-on activities provided by the Sheriff’s Office will include using the firing range and possibly setting up a staged crime scene.

“Hopefully, people will leave with their eyes wide open,” said Lt. Rick Reiverts of the Story County Sheriff’s Office. “It definitely will provide a clearer understanding of what we do with what we have. A lot of people really don’t know what we do.”

Participants must be at least 21 years old, a resident of or own a business in Story County, have no criminal history and commit to the majority of the classes involved in the program. Background checks will be done.

If someone is not selected for the first academy program but wants to participate, another academy will be held in the fall and his or her application will roll over, Reiverts said.

Applications can be obtained at the Story County Sheriff’s Office, 900 6th St., Nevada, or call 382-7455 for more information. There is no cost to attend.