After seven weeks of interactive classes, 38 Santa Barbara County residents graduated May 18, from the South County Citizen’s Academy. Participants ranged in age and came from all walks of life.

The Sheriff’s Office collaborated with the UCSB Police Department and the city of Goleta to put on the free program.

The Citizen’s Academy is designed to give the public an inside look at some of what law enforcement does on a daily basis to keep community members safe.

During the program, participants toured the jail; fired a handgun; and took interactive classes in active-shooter training, use of force, search and seizure law, building searches and arrest and control.

On Saturday, the participants finished their last class, a K-9 demonstration, at the Sheriff’s Training Bureau.

After the class, at a graduation ceremony, they received their certificates of completion, presented by Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Craig Bonner.

The event included a celebratory barbecue attended by family and friends of the graduates, their instructors and past Citizen Academy graduates.

The graduates agreed the academy provided an an eye-opening experience and they felt better prepared to look out for their safety and the safety of others.

To find out more about the Citizen’s Academy, visit https://www.sbsheriff.org/about-us/community-outreach/citizens-academy/.

— Kelly Hoover for Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.