Applicant Details:

A Note from Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown

     I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in the Newton County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy. The academy is sponsored and presented by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office staff as part of our Training Program.

     This program is designed to provide citizens with basic information about the Office of the Sheriff and the daily operations of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. The ultimate objective of this course is to establish and maintain trust and transparency with citizens and develop partnerships between the community and the Sheriff’s Office through interaction, understanding, and communication.

     After completing this program, it is our hope that the students will use the information presented to help develop a better understanding of what we do as Sheriff’s Deputies. Because of the insights that you will gain, we hope that you will be able to show support for law enforcement in the community that we all live, work, and raise our families in.

     Your interest in the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy demonstrates your commitment to the men and women of law enforcement and your desire to become involved in our community.

    Again, thank you for your interest in what we hope is a fascinating educational experience for you.

Sincerely,

Sheriff Ezell Brown

Newton County Sheriff’s Office

NEWTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S CITIZENS ACADEMY

GOAL:

The goal of the Newton County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy is to create and develop a nucleus of well-informed, responsible citizens who have the potential to influence public opinion concerning SHERIFF’S practices and the delivery of Sheriff services. Graduates from our academy will increase citizen involvement on issues of mutual concern. The active participation will help to improve the quality of life and build lasting and productive partnerships between the Sheriff’s Office and the community we serve.

OBJECTIVES:

Upon successful completion of the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy, each student will:

1. Gain a better understanding of how the Newton County Sheriff’s Office is organized and how each unit functions, as well as achieve an understanding for the daily challenges facing law enforcement professionals.

2. Possess the skill and desire to identify, recruit and mentor potential candidates for employment with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, as well as future participants in the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy.

3. Demonstrate the enhancement of their observation skills and make a commitment to report any suspected criminal behavior.

4. Bring greater support to our Sheriff’s Office by giving the citizens an understanding of what our roles are as Deputy Sheriffs.

5. Build lines of communication, bolster trust, and promote transparency.

 

ITINERARY:

Week 1 – Sheriff and Command Staff meet and greet/Tour 

Week 2 – Detention/Civil/Court Service

Week 3 – Criminal Investigations/Crime Scene

Week 4 – Patrol/Calls for Service/Traffic/Civil vs. Criminal/Misdemeanor vs. Felony

Week 5 – Community Outreach/CHAMPS/Office of Professional Standards

Week 6 – Special Investigations/SWAT/K9 Demonstration

Week – 7 Use of Force/Laser Shot Simulator Training

Week – 8 Firearms / Ride along (Fri, Sat and Sun)

Week – 9 Graduation

SHERIFF’S CITIZENS ACADEMY IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please Note the following:

1. Please complete and return the attached Application for Enrollment and waiver/release forms in its entirety. Class members must be at least 18 years of age.

Acceptance of applicants is at the discretion of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

2. All applicants will be subject to a criminal history check as a precondition to acceptance into the academy. The deadline for the return of the application package is June 16, 2025. Return complete application package in person to the Sheriff’s Office front office, or e-mail to mpeters@newtonsheriffga.org.

3.  The Sheriff or his designee has final approval of all applicants and reserves the right to deny entry to any applicant. Accepted applicants will be notified by phone.

4. The academy is free of charge to all members. Class size is limited to the fifteen (15) people.

5. Dress for class is casual. Name badges will be provided and should be worn to class.

6. Qualified applicants who are denied admission due to class size will be given first choice when the next academy session is scheduled.

7. The Release of Liability Statement form must be signed and turned in by the applicant with the completed application.

8. The classes will be held in the training room of the Sheriff’s Office located at 15151 Alcovy Road, Covington, Georgia.

9. Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

10. Please contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office at 678-625-1404 for any additional questions.

11.   Ride-along with the Sheriff’s Office will be on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the weekend before graduation.  

Class #25-01

Each Tuesday July 1– August 26, 2025 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Newton County Sheriff’s Office Training Room

15151 Alcovy Road, Covington, GA. 30014

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office will make reasonable efforts to assure all person’s access to any programs and services. If a disability requires special accommodations, please call the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, 678-625-1404.

I hereby certify that the information contained in this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is authorized to make any investigation of my personal history deemed necessary for consideration to attend the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy.

By signing my name in the field below indicating as I agree to the terms stated in this document and am applying for participation in the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff’s Citizens Academy.

Signature of Participant _________________Date_______

Now, therefore in consideration of Newton County, Georgia allowing me to participate in the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy and in consideration of Newton County Sheriff’s Office permitting me use of its facilities, the validity, sufficiency, and receipt of which consideration is acknowledged, I do hereby, for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, remise, release and forever discharge Newton County, The Newton County Sheriff’s Office, its employees, officers, commission staff, representatives, affiliates, and agents, acting officially or otherwise (hereinafter Newton County) from any

and all claims, actions, demands, or causes of action, on account of my death or on account of my personal injury or damage to my personal property which may occur, regardless of whether or not said harm or injury occurs through the negligence, misfeasance, or malfeasance on the part of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, or whether said harm or damage occurs through acts of a person not employed by Newton County.

I ACKNOWLEDGE that I am aware that participating in the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy can be dangerous and may result in property damage or serious bodily injury. I assume the risk of all injuries that may occur as a result of my being permitted to participate in the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy.

I ACKNOWLEDGE that my participation in the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy is strictly voluntary on my part, is solely for my personal benefit, and is in no way related to any employment I may have/have had with Newton County.

I ACKNOWLEDGE that my participation in the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy may cause me to view possibly graphic and/or hazardous emergency photographs or scenes, and I agree to abide by all rules and instructions provided to me by Newton County Sheriff’s personnel. I agree to assume the risk of any harm or injury I may receive as a result of my participation.

I ACKNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTAND that I will not engage in, perform, or interfere with any life threatening or emergency activities I may observe during my participation in the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy. I further acknowledge that I am solely responsible for any medical or other expenses resulting from accidents, injuries, or illnesses that I may incur or be exposed to during my participation in the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy.

I AGREE to abide by all instructions given to me while participating in the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy and I ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY for my failure to abide by those instructions. During the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy, I may gain access to information or documents of a sensitive nature, and/or information deemed confidential by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, The State of Georgia or other agencies. I agree that I will not release ANY information, or items obtained by me or that I may become privy to in the course of my participation in the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy.

During the period of my participation in the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy, I agree to advise the program coordinator immediately of any personal interaction I may have with any law enforcement official. This contact consists of but is not limited to; arrests, citations, being a party to an incident of report, or the object of any law- suits.

I HEREBY AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS Newton County, and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office from and against any and all liability, loss, cost or expense (including attorneys’ fees) arising from or in any manner connected with being permitted to participate in the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy.

I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS AGREEMENT AND BY SIGNING IT I VOLUNTARILY RELEASE NEWTON COUNTY, GEORGIA FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE THAT RESULTS FROM MY PARTICIPATION IN THE SHERIFF’S CITIZENS ACADEMY. BY TYPING MY NAME IN THE FIELD BELOW

I AGREE TO THE TERMS STATED IN THIS DOCUMENT.

_________________________________________

SIGNATURE OF PARTICIPANT DATE

_____________________________________________

WITNESS

 

NOTE: THIS RELEASE MUST BE EXECUTED PRIOR TO PARTICIPATION IN THE SHERIFF’S CITIZENS ACADEMY

NEWTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

SHERIFF’S CITIZENS ACADEMY

15151 Alcovy Road, Covington, GA. 30014

NEWTON COUNTY, GEORGIA

AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION / CONSENT FORM

I hereby authorize the Newton County Sheriff’s Office to obtain and/or receive criminal history record and history record information pertaining to me, which may be in the files of any state or local criminal justice agency in Georgia, any other state, or any other country.

The intent of this authorization is to give my consent for full and complete disclosure of the following records and request that the custodian of such records/information permit my records to be examined, copied or otherwise reviewed:

Criminal History Record

A photocopy of this release form will be valid as an original hereof even though the said photocopy does not contain an original writing of my signature. The release is executed with full knowledge and understanding that the information is for the official use of the Newton 

County Sheriff’s Office in determining my suitability to attend the Sheriff ‘s Citizens Academy.

By signing my name, I am giving consent to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office to conduct criminal history and driver history record checks. I hereby waive and release any claims against any party, which I may have as a result of the release of any records or information referenced in this authorization. I acknowledge that no party shall have any liability to me as a result of complying with a request for such information and /or records

Waiver of Liability

I request permission to accompany a Newton County Sheriff’s Deputy in a Newton County Sheriff’s Office vehicle during the requested time. I understand that as a condition of accompanying a member of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, I relieve and absolve the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and their employees from any and all claims that may arise from accompanying a member of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

It is further understood that I am not to carry any type of firearm or weapon and may not engage in the arrest or restraint of any law violator during the time I am accompanying a Newton County Sheriff’s Deputy.

By signing my name, I acknowledge that I have read and

understand this Ride-Along Request and Waiver of Liability.

SHERIFF’S CITIZENS ACADEMY

GCIC AWARENESS STATEMENT

Access to Criminal Justice Information, as defined in GCIC Council Rule 140-1-.02 (amended), and dissemination of such information are governed by state and federal laws and by GCIC Council Rules. Criminal Justice Information cannot be accessed or disseminated by any employee except as directed by superiors and as authorized by approved standard operating procedures, which are based on controlling state and federal laws, relevant federal regulations, and the Rules of the GCIC Council.

O.C.G.A. 35-3-38 establishes criminal penalties for specific offences involving obtaining, using, or disseminating criminal history record information except as permitted by law. The same statue establishes criminal penalties for disclosing or attempting to disclose techniques or methods employed to ensure the security and privacy of information or data contained in Georgia criminal justice information systems.

The Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act (O.C.G.A. 16-9-90 et seq.) provides for the protection of public and private sector computer systems, including communications links to such computer systems. The Act establishes four criminal offences, all major felonies for

violations of the Act: Computer Theft, Computer Trespass, Computer Invasion of Privacy and Computer Forgery. The criminal penalties for each offense carry maximum sentences of 15 years in prison and/or fines up to $50,000, as well as possible civil ramifications. The act also establishes Computer Password Disclosure as a criminal offense with penalties of one year in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.

The Georgia Justice Information System (CJIS) Network is operated by the Georgia Crime Information Center in compliance with O.C.G.A. 35-3-31. The Computer Systems Protection Act protects all databases accessible via CJIS Network terminals. Similar communications and computer systems operated by municipal/county governments are also protected by the Act.

By signing my name, I acknowledge that I have read and

understand this GCIC Awareness Statement.