Monroe County Sheriff Launches Citizens Police Academy Across Three Keys

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will run three Citizens Police Academies beginning in April, offering small cohorts of residents a detailed introduction to day-to-day policing, corrections and specialty units across the Lower, Middle and Upper Keys. The program is designed to deepen local understanding of sheriff's office operations and give community members direct exposure to law enforcement practices.

Each academy asks attendees to commit to one evening a week from 6 to 9 p.m., with classes running through May and a graduation ceremony in Marathon. Class sizes are limited to about 15 participants and space is limited; applications are due by March 2. Classes will take place at district facilities to keep sessions local: Tuesdays at the sheriff’s office headquarters on Stock Island for the Lower Keys, Wednesdays at the Sheriff’s Office Aviation Hangar in Marathon for the Middle Keys, and Thursdays at the Roth Building on Plantation Key for the Upper Keys. The Upper Keys program begins April 9, the Middle Keys program begins April 8, and the Lower Keys program begins April 7.

The curriculum spans operational and investigative topics. Sessions will include an orientation and an overview of patrol procedures, a tour of jail facilities, an introduction to weapons including Simunitions and Taser, and practical training in traffic and felony stops. Participants will also take part in crime scene investigations featuring a hands-on mock crime scene, building searches, and briefings from specialty units such as Bomb, Dive, SWAT, Major Crimes and Special Investigations.

For Keys residents, the academy offers a chance to see how policy and practice intersect in day-to-day law enforcement. Familiarity with patrol tactics, corrections conditions and investigative procedures can inform civic participation on issues ranging from budget priorities to public safety oversight. Holding the academies in district locations reduces travel barriers typical of island life, but the evening schedule may still limit participation for residents who work late shifts or have caregiving responsibilities.

The program also has institutional implications. Citizens academies can serve as a bridge between the public and policing institutions, building transparency while exposing community members to operational constraints and legal frameworks that shape officer decision-making. At the same time, such programs can influence public perception of policing and become a pathway for sustained civic engagement on public safety issues.

Residents interested in applying should note the March 2 deadline, the weekly 6-9 p.m. time commitment and the district-specific locations. For community members, the academy is an opportunity to lift the veil on local law enforcement practices and bring informed perspective to neighborhood meetings, budget conversations and public oversight in the months ahead.