
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is set to host a training program offering an in-depth look at local public safety - to the public.
The office is launching an eight-week "Citizen Academy" where participants can get an inside look at law enforcement operations through weekly sessions and visits to facilities like the county jail and the 911 dispatch center.
Community Outreach Sergeant Joel Svenby says the program is vital in establishing relationships with the public and has been used as a recruiting tool.
"Building a bridge between us, the sheriff's office and the community, be more transparent, letting them know what we do on a day-to-day basis," explains Svenby.
Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 program, scheduled for Thursday evenings from September 18 to November 6.
"People really enjoy this. We bring in a crime lab technician, which is our crime lab investigator, which is our licensed staff," Svenby said. "They run through a mock scene and then we slide over into the lab and we talk to the ballistics experts. We talk to the biology experts and the chemistry experts. And they get to see firsthand what we do there."
This eight-week program is designed to give participants insight into public safety and the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office. It is open to the public and free. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
You can see the application and get more information on participating here.