The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is looking for area residents who would like to attend an upcoming Citizens Academy class.
The first session will be Sept. 5 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Colony Cottage Recreation Center. There is room for several more participants, so those interested in taking part in the academy are encouraged to call (352) 689-4604.
Those who participate in the Citizens Academy will meet 11 times over the next three months. At the initial Sept. 5 meeting, Sumter County Sheriff Bill Farmer, Chief Dep. Gary Brannen and Maj. Chris Haworth will speak.
Here’s a breakdown of the remaining sessions and who will speak at each one:
• Sept. 12: Lt. Robert Siemer, Villages district supervisor; and Sgt. Derek Pike, dive team and water patrol.
• Sept. 19: Capt. Pat Breeden and Lt. Jon Galvin, criminal investigations and criminal intelligence; and Sgt. Joel Mullins, forensics, evidence and finger- printing.
• Sept. 26: Capt. Pat Breeden and Melissa Merritt, victims advocate; Capt. Tony Prevatt and Caren Holloway, Communication Center (911 call center).
• Oct. 3: Capt. Pat Breeden and Lt. Michael Cassidy, patrol operations and zones; and a K-9 deputy with a K-9 dog.
• Oct. 10: Maj. Page Lochrie and Capt. Zeke Shaw, Sumter County Detention Center.
• Oct. 17: Arvid Cowell, Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches; Capt. Tony Prevatt, Dep. Joey Mooneyham and Beth Hunt, community outreach coordinator.
• Oct. 24: Chief Dep. Gary Brannen, professional standards & accreditation; Inspector James Aguiar, Inspector Marty Egan and Dep. Crystal Stuller.
• Oct. 31: Lt. Jon Galvin, vice; Lt. Robert Capps, SWAT.
• Nov. 7: Maj. Page Lochrie and Lt. Louis Fernandez, courthouse security; Sumter County Judge Paul L. Militello; graduation ceremony.
• Nov. 9: Road trip (tour of the Sumter County Detention Center, helicopter and she