Sheriff's Citizens Academy
Course Curriculum

LOCATIONS AND SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO VARIATIONS

To enroll, contact: Sr. Dep. Vince Galloway, vincente.galloway@co.travis.tx.us
Phone: 854-9728 Ext. 33853
Download Application (Requires free Adobe Acrobat PDF reader)

Week 1 —   — Sheriff's Office - Gault Bldg. -  509 West 11th St. 

6:45 PM

Orientation: Welcome and introductions by course coordinator. Explain concept of Citizens Academy. Complete registration and give overview of objectives and requirements. Introduction of students. (1 hour 30 minutes)

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8:30 PM

Criminal Justice System Overview

It is a semester of Civics in 90 minutes or less. Learn the difference between civil and criminal law, categories of offences and the types of punishment associated. Hear how a case progresses through the criminal justice system.  (1 hour 30 minutes) LaRu Woody

Week 2 —   — Sheriff's Office - Gault Bldg.   —  509 West 11th St. 

7:00 PM

Corrections Systems Overview (1 hour 20 minutes) Maj. David Balagia

With a jail population up more than 800% since 1984, the Corrections Bureau has some 900 staff.

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8:30 PM

Inmate Services (1 hour 30 minutes) Woody Simmons

Chaplain Services
The chaplains are in charge of administering to the wide variety of religious needs of the diverse jail population. Protestant, Roman Catholic and Islamic Services, nondenominational Bible Study and Religious Counseling are provided to the inmates on a weekly basis. Clergy from the community assist in providing these services.

Counseling Services Professionally trained counselors are active members of the treatment team. Every inmate is assigned a primary counselor. The following are some of the programs offered through Counseling Services: Alcohol and Drug Treatment, Individual Counseling, Group Counseling, AIDS Education Classes, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Psychological Assessment, Community Referrals, and Life Skills.

Education Programming
The Inmate Education Program seeks to rehabilitate inmates through improvement of their academic and vocational competency. About two thirds of the jail population lack a high school diploma or GED most lack the viable job skills needed to maintain substantial employment. The Education Program offers courses in: GED, Adult Basic Education, and English as a Second Language, Office Technology Skills, and Computer Trouble Shooting

Volunteer Services
More than 350 active volunteers work in the jail contributing well over 10,000 hours per year. Volunteers make up members of jail ministry, leaders of our 12-Step recovery groups, as well as teacher and tutors in our educational and vocational training classes.

Saturday —   —  Meet in front of Sheriff's Office - Gault Bldg. -  509 West 11th St.   

8:30 AM

Tour of the old Jail
This portion of the tour, alone, is worth the "price of admission". See corrections as done in the "old days". This is a real jail with iron bars. It forms a sharp contrast to the modern buildings which now house inmates. Many movies have been filmed at this location.

Tour of Central Booking, TCJ, TCCC, and CJC
See where suspects are brought following their arrest for processing, magestration and housing. See the Correctional Complex which encompasses approximately 130 acres. The Complex consists of 18 inmate-housing facilities and numerous support buildings to include a warehouse, healthcare facility,kitchen, inmate property, maintenance, and marketable skills. There is a greenhouse and six-acre garden.

Inmate housing design at the Complex ranges from minimum to maximum security with the majority being designed for minimum custody level inmates. The Correctional Complex experiences an average daily population of roughly 1850 inmates.

Lunch at TCCC Cafeteria
This could be your most memorable meal this year. Bring your own salt. You'll find out why.

Approximate Total Tour Time: 4-5 hours

Week 3 —   — TCSO Training Academy 

7:00 PM

Personnel (50 minutes) Debbie Rich

TCSO is Hiring!

Learn about:
 Hiring Process, Position Descriptions, Minimum Requirements, Application Forms, Disqualifiers and more!

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8:00 PM

Training Academy (1 hour)

9:00 PM

Field Training Program (1 hour)

The TCSO Field Training program for Patrol consists of seven phases. 1-4 are training phases. Phase 5 is for evaluation of the recruit's progress. Phase 6 is for remedial training and Phase 7 is for final evaluation.

Week 4 —   — Sheriff's Office - Gault Bldg. -  509 West 11th St.

Patrol Services  Captain Joe EscribanoThe Law Enforcement Bureau is responsible for public safety and law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Travis County. The primary focus of these units involves the patrol function in those areas Patrol Division is divided into two command areas, East Command and West Command.The dividing line (with some exceptions) is Interstate 35.

Week 5 — TCSO Communications – Johnny Morris Rd. 

7:00 PM

Communications, 911 (1 hour) Colleen Stark

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8:00 PM

Criminal Investigation (2 hours) Detective (TBA)

Week 6 —    — Sheriff's Office - Gault Bldg. -  509 West 11th St.

7:00 PM

Intelligence Unit (1 hour) Deputy Wayne Samson

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Break

8:00 PM

Internal Affairs Sgt. Elizabeth Jurica

9:00 PM

Victim Services Charyl Naron

Week 7 —   — TCSO Training Academy 

7:00 PM

Sheriff Reserves (1 hour)

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8:00 PM

Traffic Enforcement and Accident Investigation

Estray

Lake Patrol

K-9 Demonstration

Week 8 —   — TCSO Training Academy 

7:00 PM

Sheriff's Citizen's Academy Alumni (30 minutes)

7:30 PM

Use of Force (1 hour)

BREAK (as needed)The Sheriff's Citizen's Academy Alumni Association sponsors the class break

8:30 PM

F.A.T.S.  "Shoot-Don't Shoot" FireArm Training Simulator (1 hour 30 minutes)

Week 9 —   — Sheriff's Office - Gault Bldg. -  509 West 11th St. 

7:00 PM

Volunteer Opportunities (30 minutes)

7:30 PM

Community Services (1 hour)

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8:45 PM

COPS (30 minutes)

9:15 PM

D.A.R.E. (30 minutes)

Week 10 — TCSO Training Academy 

7:00 PM

Mental Health Unit (1 hour)

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8:20 PM

Fugitive Apprehension Unit, SWAT (1 hour 30 minutes)

Week 11 — — Sheriff's Office - Gault Bldg. -  509 West 11th St.

7:00 PM

Auto Theft Task Force (1 hour)

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8:20 PM

Narcotics (1 hour 30 minutes) Deputy Charlie Neal

Week 12  —   — Sheriff's Office - Gault Bldg. -  509 West 11th St.

6:45 PM

Class Photograph – Show up on time to be in the photo!

7:00 PM

7:00 PM Crime Scene Investigation (1 hour 15 minutes) Deputy Joseph Flores

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8:45 PM

Crime Lab (1 hour 15 minutes)

Week 13 —    —  GRADUATION:   Location TBD

Welcome and Introductions

Guest Speaker: (TBD)

Remarks of the Sheriff

Remarks of Class President (TBD)

Presentation of Certificates

Awards

Refreshements - Served by Citizens Academy Alumni Association

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