Senior Academy accepting participants

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is accepting applications for the 13th annual Senior Citizens' Law Enforcement Academy which begins June 13.

Sgt. Tom Mezzetta said the academy's goal is to provide crime fighting educational programs and information to senior citizens in Douglas County.

"Attendees will become more aware and comfortable with law enforcement services and in return, law enforcement officers will develop a better understanding of the needs of our senior citizens," Mezzetta said.

The academy will be once a week on Wednesdays beginning June 13 through Aug. 29.

Classes begin at 1 p.m. and end at 5 p.m. each Wednesday at the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 1625 8th St. in Minden.

Classroom topics to be discussed include fire prevention, emergency medical information, uniform patrol, jail division, criminal investigations, crime scene processing, narcotic and gang investigations, firearms training simulator, the criminal justice system, emergency communications, identity theft and fraud prevention.

Academy instructors are selected from county, state and local agencies, Mezzetta said.

Class size is limited to 50 students who must be at least age 50 and reside in Douglas County.

All applicants must be willing to submit to a background check and may not have been convicted of a felony.

To register, contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at 782-9900, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.