An eight-week course covering topics dealing with the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office will be starting March 13th in Hamilton. The once-a-week sessions are called the "Sheriff's Citizens Academy" and will be open to only 20 p4ople from the general public. Sheriff Steve Holton said the series includes investigations, domestic violence, use of force and defensive tactics, along with tours of the 9-1-1 communications center and other facilities. Sheriff Holton would like to offer both spring and fall sessions each year to help citizens get more involved with the operations of valley law enforcement.

The classes will be for three hours on Tuesday evenings from March 13 to May 1st and is free, but participants must be at least 18 years old, live in Ravalli County and will be subject to criminal history checks. Applications are available at the Sheriff's Office in the north wing of the Ravalli County Courthouse. They are also on the "links" button on the Sheriff's app for mobile devices. Application deadline is fast approaching - February 16. If you need more information, call Undersheriff Travis McElderry at 375-4002 or email: tmcelderry@rc.mt.gov

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