RCSD Citizen's Academy Graduation

Richland County (WLTX) -- The streets in Richland County are little safer Wednesday night thanks to some local residents.

Twenty-eight citizens graduated from the Richland County Sheriff's Department Citizen's Police Academy.

Sheriff Leon Lott, along with family and friends, celebrated the graduation at the Columbia Ramada Hotel.

Lott says these citizens went through a 12-week program designed to provide an overview of the department's structure, services, and personnel. He says the mission of the Citizen's Police Academy is to provide a forum for police through community interaction; to identify community problems, needs and concerns; and to foster a partnership with the community that will solve problems and work towards creating a safer environment.

Those who enroll in the academy have the opportunity to participate in the following courses: Uniform Patrol Division, Investigations, Narcotics Enforcement, Gang Unit, Special Response Team, Physical Evidence, Canine Unit, School Resources Officers, Deputy Sheriff Selection, Professional Standards, Youth Crime, Victim's Assistance and the Training Division. Lotts states that citizens participate in several hands-on demonstrations that give them a more realistic view into what law enforcement officers do on a day-to-day basis.

If you're interested in enrolling in the Citizen's Police Academy, the next one starts May 26th. Classes are held every Tuesday from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. To apply, click here or call 576-3118.

http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=72640

I'm alive and all is well

Been a hectic few weeks and have'nt posted on my blog in so long! My step sister is in the hospital with pnemonia... She is recovering and will be fine and today had to take Grandpa to the hosital. We think some new medicine gave him a bad reaction and after 8 hours and 2 different hospitals he is at home and resting. Been doing ride-a-longs with Richland County Sheriff's office and our Citizen's Academy class graduated last Wednesday. It was an awesome class and we all learned so much. We had a nice dinner and were presented our ceritficates and t-shirts by the Sheriff, Leon Lott. Getting ready to start school on May 18th, really looking forward to that! Been working out at the YMCA once a day, doing 45 minutes on the treadmill now! Trying to get myself back in to shape by working out, bowling twice a week with Grandpa and playing in a softball league once a week. Playing with a buddy from high school on his team. First game I was 3-3 and made a couple of good plays at First base, the second game not so much :( lol. We won the first game 17-12, but lost the second 10-9. Also went on a tour of the Richland County court house last week with the Sheriff's dept, that was an eye opener! Then on Thursday I went to the Dutch Fork Magistrate court to watch the criminal trials. All of the RCSD deputies had court that day and it was very interesting to see the "court" side of what an officer has to due. Everything from simple possession of marijuana to prostitution to drunk in public was being charged that day. Good to see how the court process in carried out and what the officers have to do in court. Just taking the time right now to see all the different facets of law enforcement while I have the chance! The more I see and take in the more it makes me more determined to be a part of it! Well I am going to finish watching the Phoenix NASCAR race and pledge to do more blogging for the few people who read my blog! :)

Take Care,

Jason

Back to School, Back to School....

Well since I was laid off 02/04/09 I have been thinking what to do, what to do. Well it is now official I'll be going to Midlands Tech to finish my Associates degree in Criminal Justice starting with Summer Session on May 19th. I should be done this year as I am only 7 classes short ( I know, why did I quit the first time? dumb ass?) I plan on taking 4 classes this Summer and the remaining 3 in the fall. I am excited and eager to return and finish, but at the same time a little nervous as I have'nt been in school in a while. Any hints, tips, words of encouragement?

These are the classes I will be taking this Summer..

Math 155- Contemporary Math?- This course includes techniques and applications of the following topics: elementary number theory; algebra; geometry; measurement; graph sketching and interpretations; and descriptive statistics

Honestly I know my ass is in trouble here. I hate math, always have, always will, Thank God this is the only math class I have to take. I hope my 16 year old step-son will tutor me. He is in 10th grade and takes honors math classes, he's my only hope

Computers 101- Intro to Computers- This course covers basic computer history, theory and applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, data bases, and the operating system

Not to worried here. 15 years of using computers at work I have either learned by trial and error or repetition how to do the basics.

Philosophy 115- Contemporary Moral Issues- This course examines moral issues in contemporary society, including basic principles and applications of ethics

This looks kind of interesting. I can see some heated debates going on in here!

Criminal Justice 115- Criminal Law I- This course covers the development of criminal law in America. The basic elements of specific criminal offenses, criminal defenses, and various legal principles upon which criminal law is established are reviewed

Yea kick ass! Looking forward to a "major" related class. This is the one I am looking forward to the most.





In the Fall I will only have (2) Political Science classes and CRJ 242- corrections and I'll be done. On another note what is it with book prices!?!?! I have to have 5 books total for these classes and they are going to run around $500.00+ ? geez what's the deal.

Well I'm excited and looking forward to finally finishin and beginning my new career, but at the same time nervous....

Take Care,

Jason

Waiting...Wating...then I'm gonna wait some more..`

It is now a proven fact that anything in the World takes 7-10 days to be processed!copy of wife's birth certificate? 7-10 days.. hear back on your financial aid for school? 7-10 days.. Everytime I go or call anywhere to get anything done I am told it is going to take 7-10 days. That is the honest truth. Well I finally got my unemplyment and will be on the government teet for awhile. Trying to get back in school and finish my associates degree in criminal justice, hopefully will hear back on my financial aid status this week, it's been 7-10 days! My sister and I started walking again today, I guess every little bit helps. Actually been so busy it has been hard to find time to post on my blog but will try and do a better job.

Keep in Touch

expressfootball@hotmail.com

Take Care,

Jason

Thinking of everything....

Hey it probably worked for this guy?! Still on the job hunt. Got alot of things going on right now... Lot's of "possibles" but nothing definite yet. We are both still waiting on unemployment, don't get me started on what we have been thru concerning unemployment, there's not enough room on the internet! Also checking in to going back to school and finishing my Associates Degree in criminal justice. I only have about 2 full semesters left. We'll see how it all goes from here. I'll keep ya updated!

Take Care,

Jason

Ride-a-long is no joke...

Went out on a ride-a-long last night with the sheriff's dept., don't want to say alot, but let's say police work is no joke. Awesome experience and only fuels the fire more. The gun above was confiscated from a car stop. I am going to check before I give a full report on the ride-a-long...let you know in a few days...don't want to be talking about things I might should not be talking about on my blog.

Take Care,

Jason

Citizen's Academy Update

Tonight we learned about the School resource officer program, the Richland County Dive team and the Youth arbitration program at Citizen's Academy. The dive team has 12 officers who train and specialize in evidence recovery, body/vehicle recovery and to assist the tactical team. You can learn more about the dive team here http://www.rcsd.net/dept/specops-dive.htm.

Also We were informed about the school resource officer program. Richland County has 54 officers that are assigned to schools in Richland County. They provide security for the schools, help develop programs at the school and other functions. It is one of the biggest divisions in the department. More can be found about the resource officers here http://www.rcsd.net/sro/sro.htm

The last speaker of the night told us about the youth arbitration program. The arbitration program is available to non-violent first time offenders in Richland County schools. The students who are accepted in the program complete any number of things from restitution, community service or writing papers to get a charge expunged from their record. The speaker Seargent Kim Myers was very informative and entertaining. This really looks like a good program and anyone may volunteer. For more information click this link http://www.rcsd.net/prog/arbitrationprogram.htm

Also two deputies stopped by with a seizure that was done on a traffic stop tonight. Marijuana and about $6,000 in cash taken on Bush River Road. All in all a very informative night. I also got my ride-a-long paperwork approved tonight and will probably be riding in Region 2 ( Dutch Fork) or Region 4 (Two Notch Road) later this week.

On the job front things are still slow, but I am finishing up my application for Lexington County Sheriff's office to work in either the jail or as a communications officer. Still keeping my options open, but taking the time to learn as much as I can and visit as many places as I can as far as law enforcement while I have the chance.

Take Care,

Jason