Pubdate: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 Source: Florida Today (Melbourne, FL) Copyright: 2004 Florida Today Contact: http://www.flatoday.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/532 POLICE PROVIDE CITIZENS' CLASSES Insight Given About Sheriff's Office VERO BEACH -- Barbie Haas of Vero Beach said the home-safety tips she learned at the 20th Indian River County Citizen's Police Academy last fall are invaluable. Now, she volunteers every Wednesday and Friday afternoon at the sheriff's substation in the Indian River Mall. "I got an inside look at how well the sheriff's department operates and have an appreciation of the dedicated staff," Haas said. As an educator for 30 years, she said, when she retired, she "found it difficult to quit my life" and enjoys giving something back to the community. Among her other duties, she calls elderly shut-ins to see that they are all right as part of the sheriff's We Care program. "It keeps my mental, social and job skills sharp and keeps me young. I get back more than I give," Haas said. Another 15-week Citizen's Police Academy will begin Thursday morning at the auditorium of the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, 4055 41st Ave., Vero Beach. Sessions will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursdays. Sheriff Roy Raymond will introduce the program, which will include off-site tours of the county's correctional facility, 911 emergency center, courthouse and special operations at the Vero Beach airport hangar. Those who complete the program will earn three college credit hours. "There is no better way to fully understand the Sheriff's Office than to enroll and participate in the citizen's academy," said Detective Joe Flescher, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office. He said presentations include how detectives and crime-scene technicians do their work, special weapons used by the emergency- response team, and a K-9 unit demonstration. "Training instructors will talk about the extensive training that the deputies go through," Flescher said. Students also may experience some of the "shoot, don't shoot" scenarios that deputies go through during their training. "There will also be a chance for a close-up view of the aviation unit and the marine unit equipment and vessels," Flescher said. The victim-assistance program will be discussed, and the drug unit "will present an eye-opening view" of drugs in the county. He said crime-prevention tips will be offered. To register, call coordinator Jackie McCorkle at (772) 978-6421. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin