Citizens academy offers inside look at sheriff's office

Protecting Hancock County residents is a much bigger job than meets the eye. The $10.2 million budgeted for the sheriff's office this year is the biggest item in the county general fund, or about 35% of it. Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman is offering residents an opportunity — for free — to get a deeper look into everything the sheriff's office does. A Citizens Sheriff's Academy Class is scheduled to meet from 6:30-9 p.m. on nine Thursdays, beginning Sept. 8. "If people would realize what the sheriff's office really does; it's not just out here on the highway or investigating. There's a lot more to it," Heldman said. "The jail, the transport warrant, where we're transporting inmates to and from the jail to court, to and from other jails or to prisons; people don't see that." Parents and grandparents may have heard about a school resource officer. But what does a school resource officer really do? "We want people to know," Heldman said. "And I think once people get educated, they will have a different outlook on what law enforcement is all about." In one of the sessions, Fiscal Officer Becky Smith will explain the sheriff's budget to participants. "Where does the money come from? The (county) commissioners don't say, 'Hey, here's a pile of money,'" Heldman said. "(Smith) has to justify, break things down" for the commissioners. Other sessions, led by various officers, will include a tour of the jail, as well as sessions on detectives, firearms, the K-9 Unit, Communications Office, traffic enforcement and patrol, domestic violence cases, and search and seizure. The Citizens Sheriff's Academy Class has been offered before. It has 281 alumni from 30 classes since 2000. It was put on a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Heldman and his staff are ready to resume the academy. Those interested should call Smith at 419-424-7229. Wilin: 419-472-8413