News

35 graduate from Sheriff's Citizens Academy

Thirty-five new members graduated Friday from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy on Friday. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

By ALLISON NOCK/Henderson County Sheriff's Office, Published: May 4, 2016

The 20th class of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy graduated thirty-five new members at a commencement dinner on Friday.

“This year’s academy consisted of an inquisitive group of civic minded individuals,” said Sheriff Charlie McDonald. “Over thirteen weeks they got to be led through the ins and outs of their Sheriff’s Office by the men and women that keep it going.”

Instructional and educational opportunities included tours of the Detention Center, the 911 Communications Center and the Sheriff’s Office. Classroom instruction and discussion covered CID (Criminal Investigation Division), Criminal Activity Statistics, Forensics (CSI), STAR Program, Victim Assistance, Domestic Violence, Patrol, Drug Suppression, K-9 teams, Animal Enforcement laws and ordinances, Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Marshal duties, Emergency Management, 911 communications, SWAT, Bomb Squad, Use of Force and Decision Making, VirTra demonstration, CCW Process, VIP and Explorer program.
The class concluded with a graduation dinner at The Cedars with distinguished guests and guest speaker Ruth Birge of the Hendersonville Lightning and Vision Henderson County. Birge made some lighthearted and entertaining comparisons between law enforcement and the press before speaking on the importance of volunteerism.

The graduates were Mickey Amberg, Mani Baluchi, Vincent Barr, Elaine Bishop, Earl Bishop, Dave Brauner, Melanie Carleton, Mike Cervini, Camille Condon, Tracy Fletcher, John Gaitskill, Ruth Garren, Claudia Gondolf, Joseph Gondolf, Merry Guy, LaVerne Hooper, Lois Karcher, Allison Nock, Ron Kauffman, Julie Kidd, Richard Kidd, Don King, Leslie Kingsbury, Hale Meserow, David Phillips, Rachel Poller, Mary Smith, Jere Smith, Gordon Stevenson, Dave Swearengen, Bertie Toler, Stephen Walker, Catherine Ware, Marsha Ann Wilkes and Robert H. Wright. The class and graduation ceremony was facilitated by Sheriff’s Citizens Academy Director Barry Brown.

The next class is scheduled to start in January. All classes are held at the Sheriff’s Office at 100 North Grove St. Applications and information may be picked up in the lobby at this location or accessed on the Sheriff’s Office website at http://www.hendersoncountync.org/sheriff/sheriffs_citizens_academy.html.
For more information call 828-694-2742.