Sheriff's Office to host Citizen Police Academy this spring

OTTAWA COUNTY — The Ottawa County sheriff's office is seeking 25 residents to step behind the yellow tape this spring for an immersive look at the inner workings of local law enforcement.

Applications are now open for the agency’s Citizen Police Academy, a nine-session program designed to bridge the gap between badge-wearers and the public. The academy will meet on Thursday evenings April 30 through June 25, offering a curriculum that moves beyond standard patrol procedures to encompass the full scope of the sheriff’s operations.

For the sheriff's office, the program is less about recruitment and more about deconstructing the barriers that often exist between deputies and the neighborhoods they patrol.

"The Citizen’s Police Academy allows the sheriff's office to build public trust and transparency by giving the citizens a behind-the-scenes look at not just law enforcement, but all that makes the Ottawa County sheriff's office what it is," said Sgt. Jacob MacKeller.

MacKeller said that the program is specifically designed to humanize the staff. By providing a "glimpse into the heart and passion" of the deputies, the agency aims to replace common misconceptions with a more nuanced understanding of the profession.

Potential candidates must be at least 18 years old and either live or work in Ottawa County. To maintain the integrity of the program, the agency requires that applicants have no prior felony arrests and no misdemeanor arrests within one year of their application. Those accepted into the 25-slot cohort will be notified in April.

Participants will engage in face-to-face interactions with staff members who play active roles in the agency’s daily business. This collaborative environment is a departure from the typical, often stressful, encounters the public has with police.

"Instead of citizens only encountering deputies during stressful situations, they experience the agency in a collaborative and educational setting," MacKeller said.

The tangible benefits for residents, according to officials, include a clearer understanding of the decision-making processes at the sheriff's office and increased confidence during future interactions with law enforcement.

In addition to the academy, the sheriff's office is addressing specialized community security through a full-day Church Safety Workshop scheduled for March 21.

The free event, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Harvest Church, 225 E. Exchange St. in Spring Lake, is tailored for religious leaders and security teams. The workshop will cover a spectrum of emergency scenarios, ranging from medical incidents and severe weather to the threat of disruptive or violent visitors.

Although the session is free of charge, officials said that registration is required and all attendees must be 18 or older. Information regarding both the academy and the safety workshop is available through the sheriff's office at the Fillmore Street headquarters or online at the county's official website.

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at hvandyke@ottawanewsnetwork.org.