The Sheriff’s Citizens Academy is an opportunity for all citizens of Cullman County to learn about the role of law enforcement in our community and to learn more about how your Sheriff’s Office works.

The Sheriff’s Citizens Academy is a 12-week program with classes meeting on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Classes are taught by senior officers of the Sheriff’s Office, as well as by guest instructors from the Cullman County E-911 Board, the District Attorney’s Office, the District Court, and the Circuit Court. Classes of instruction include:

• Introduction & Orientation
• Court Documents (Warrants, Civil Process, and Sheriff’s Records)
• E-911/Communications
• Patrol Techniques/Patrol Officer Ride-along
• Use of Force
• Firearms Training/Firing Range Exercise
• Drug Investigations
• Laws of Arrest/Miranda & Probable Cause
• The Alabama Court System/Search and Seizure Law
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Criminal Investigation (Property Crimes & Crimes Against Persons)
• Corrections (Cullman County Detention Center/Work Release Program)
• Administration/Organizational Structure
• School Resource Deputy Program/Special Operations
• Graduation

The learning objectives of the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy include:

• Describe the basic organizational structures of the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office.
• Explain the mission, values, and role of the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office.
• Describe the community policing programs within Cullman County.
• List some of the crime prevention and youth programs within Cullman County.
• Describe some investigative techniques used by the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office.
• Explain the importance of citizen involvement and volunteers.
• Explain the basic concepts of arrest law.
• Describe the drug problem in the community and some enforcement initiatives used by the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office.

There are no fees charged to interested citizens who wish to participate in the program; the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy is offered as a service of the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office to the citizens of Cullman County.

Questions concerning how to apply or when the next academy will begin should be directed to Lt. David J. Sandlin, Program Coordinator, at 735-2721, or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it