2025 Citizens’ Academy
The 2025 Citizens' Academy will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in July and August. The application window will open April 2025. If you would like to be placed on an interest list, please email info@ocsheriff.gov.
About the Citizens' Academy
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers a county-wide Citizens’ Academy once per year. The Citizens’ Academy is a 9-week informational series designed to give Orange County residents an inside, in-depth look at the daily operations of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The academy class meets once a week for a 3-hour period. Most classes are held at the Orange County Regional Training Academy in Tustin, with the exception of a few field trip weeks. The first eight weeks include interactive course instruction and field trips provided by a variety of Sheriff’s Department personnel who are experts in their respective fields. The last week is a graduation celebration.
Course Topics
Some topics covered in the Citizens' Academy include:
- Recruitment / Academy Training
- Dispatch / Patrol Operations
- Investigations
- Use of Force Options Simulator
- Bomb Squad
- Forensics
- Car Stops
- Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center
- Orange County Jail Tour
- Coroner’s Office Tour
More Information
The Citizens' Academy is intended for personal growth only, and does not qualify students for a career in law enforcement. A career in law enforcement requires an extensive application process and training program.
If you are at least 18 years of age, have no felony arrests and are interested in public safety, we would encourage you to take part in this community program. Applications are given priority according to the order in which they are received and first priority is given to residents in Orange County Sheriff’s Department contract cities. If you would like information about the Citizens’ Academy, please contact Public Affairs at (714) 647-7042 or email info@ocsheriff.gov.
