Happy Halloween

[featured-img]

We want everyone to have a happy Halloween and to be safe while trick-or-treating!

– A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
– Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
– Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
– If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
– Pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween.
– Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
– Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
– Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
– If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
– Never cut across yards or use alleys.
– Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks. Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
– Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will!
– Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has more Halloween safety tips on their website.

Trunk or Treat 2017

The cold and windy weather on Sunday wasn’t enough to keep thousands from lining up for the Sixth Annual Douglas County Sheriff’s Office & Douglasville Police Department’s Trunk or Treat. Every year, law enforcement officers from both agencies have fun decorating their cars for Halloween and every year the event draws a huge crowd. Yesterday was no exception.

These Trunk or Treat events give parents a chance to take their kids out for Halloween in a safe, controlled environment while allowing deputies and officers to interact with the public in a positive way. It’s always hard to tell who had more fun: the kids or the grownups.

Criminal Justice Class Tours Jail

[featured-img]

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Harold Willis for bringing his West Georgia Technical College Criminal Justice class to the office for a tour of our facility. We enjoy giving classes and groups a behind-the-scenes look of what we do on a daily basis. If you would like to schedule a tour for your class or organization, contact Lt. Elmer Horn at 678-486-1200 or ehorn@sheriff.douglas.ga.us.

Congratulations, CLEA Class of 2017!

[featured-img]

Congratulations to our CLEA class of 2017! We would like to thank everyone who signed up for and attended class for the past 12 weeks. We would also like to thank Douglas County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Dr. Ramona Jackson-Jones for coming to speak to the graduates.

Our Citizens’ Law Enforcement Academy is an important part of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. This program gives our residents a first-hand look at how, and why, we do what we do. We cover a wide and varied array of topics during the twelve weeks including, but not limited to:

  • Orientation / Training for Law Enforcement & Corrections
  • Jail Operations & Tour
  • Criminal Law / Ethics & Professionalism
  • Search & Seizure / Liability
  • Domestic Violence / Child Abuse
  • Gangs / S.R.O. / M.A.C.E. / Internet Crimes
  • Use of Force / Firearms Training
  • Communications / Patrol Operations
  • E.R.T. / K-9 Functions
  • Undercover Operations / Crime Scenes and Evidence
  • Ride with a Deputy on Patrol

Many of our graduates have said that this program has given them a new insight and respect for law enforcement, and they would absolutely recommend everyone go through the academy.

More About the Citizens’ Law Enforcement Academy

In August of 1999, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office implemented an exciting and different Law Enforcement Academy…the Citizens Law Enforcement Academy (CLEA).

Our CLEA program is based on a similar program that began in 1977 in the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary of England. Its purpose is to provide training and education to our citizens, while giving them an opportunity to get involved with their local Sheriff’s Office. Participants meet Thursday nights for 12 weeks. Each session focuses on a different area of our operation, such as jail operations, administration, recruiting, patrol operations, communications, investigations, vice and narcotics, youth and safety programs, traffic and criminal laws. In addition to classroom training, CLEA students are also given the opportunity to participate in a series of practical exercises.

The curriculum and training are not what you would expect. Our goal is not to teach the student how to become a law enforcement officer, but rather to give students some insight into the duties and responsibilities of our deputies. While graduates of the Citizens Law Enforcement Academy are not prepared for daily street duty, they do acquire a better understanding of our daily operations and the challenges that confront our deputies. Our hope is that the student leaves with a better understanding of the complex nature of our work, enforcing the law.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office understands that community involvement is one of the most powerful tools any law enforcement agency has in the fight against crime. Through CLEA, citizens can help us keep Douglas County safe and a great place to live and work. Best of all, CLEA graduates become “goodwill ambassadors” for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Classes are held on Thursday nights for 12 weeks, from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm. All applicants need to be able to commit to attending the twelve sessions of this academy.

Applicants must be a resident or business owner in Douglas County. You must be at least 21 years of age, and give consent for a background check as part of the application process. There is no fee for this class.

If you or someone you know would like to attend the Citizens Law Enforcement Academy, please contact Tina Brownlow at 770-920-4940 or via e-mail at tbrownlow@sheriff.douglas.ga.us or fill out the online application.

 

Red Ribbon Week 2017

Every year, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit participates in Red Ribbon Week. This time is dedicated towards educating students about the dangers of illegal drugs. Throughout the week, the K9 unit visits various schools throughout Douglas County to talk about the dogs’ skills in obedience, narcotics detection, and apprehension.

Training Division Receives POST Award

[featured-img]

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Director Ken Vance and Neil Lewis from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) for stopping by and recognizing our Training Division for their hard work and dedication. The Training Division is responsible for ensuring that each and every deputy, jailer, supervisor, and yes, even the Sheriff has the education and knowledge required for their positions. The Training Division also provides a handgun clinic that’s free to the public. Those who are interested in taking the handgun class can visit our website. Please note that a background check will be performed on potential handgun clinic applicants.

DNR Needs Help Identifying Man

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is seeking the person in the below photos for questioning. If you have any information on his identity, please call 1-800-241-4113.

In Memoriam: Major James Thomas “Tommy” Wheeler, Ret.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office regrets to announce the passing of retired Major James Thomas “Tommy” Wheeler, Ret. Major Wheeler worked for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office from January 1st, 1973 until his retirement on February 1st, 2014 as the Major over law enforcement. Major Wheeler was a graduate of the 83rd AOC at the Southern Police institute at the University of Louisville. During his career, Major Wheeler worked in the Patrol Division, Criminal and Special Investigations Divisions. He is survived by his wife, Karla and his two sons Jeff and W.T. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Georgia Sheriff’s Association Youth Homes.

[Full obituary]

Man Arrested for Marijuana and Cocaine Sales

The Special Investigations Division of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office arrested James E. Foster, aged 30, of Douglasville, Georgia on 9/20-17 for multiple counts of sales of marijuana and cocaine in violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act. James Foster sold illegal narcotics to undercover agents working with the Special Investigations Division during the month of September. Agents executed a search warrant at Fosters residence located in Douglasville, Georgia and a business address associated with Foster on Fairburn Road in Douglasville, Georgia.

Add a new location

×
×