Douglas County residents interested in learning more about the local sheriff’s office may want to apply for this year’s Citizen’s Academy.

The Citizen’s Academy is a weekly course offered by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to show what the agency and its deputies do every day. The classes will meet every Thursday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., from Aug. 22 to Oct. 3 and on two Saturdays, Aug. 24 and Sept. 7., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The classes will include tours of Douglas County Jail and hands-on instruction in accident investigation, field sobriety testing, building searches, drug seizures, patrol, and firearms. Attendance is free of charge.

Douglas County residents who are at least 18 years old can pick up a paper application at the sheriff’s offices at 111 E. 11th Street or at the Douglas County Jail, 3601 E. 25th Street. To apply electronically, visit the sheriff’s office website at dgso.org. Completed applications can be delivered to the sheriff’s office or emailed to Lt. Eric Spurling at espurling@dgso.org. For more information, email Lt. Spurling or Lt. Lyle Hagenbuch at lhagenbuch@dgso.org. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, May 31.

To see what it was like to attend a similar academy offered by the Lawrence Police Department, take a look at a series of stories written by two reporters who recently participated here.