Reach out. Be a Part of Your Community. Become a S.T.A.R.

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The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department would like to invite you to apply for the upcoming S.T.A.R. Academy being held September 8th – 19th, 2014. The Academy training hours are Monday – Friday from 8 am – 12 noon, with accompanying afternoon driver proficiency training and law enforcement support visitations. The Academy will conclude with a formal uniformed graduation on Friday evening, September 19th.

S.T.A.R.s are the “eyes and ears” of the department. They patrol the highways and byways of El Dorado County in specially marked vehicles, check on homes while the owners are on vacation, as well as the Neighborhood Watch and YANA (You Are Not Alone) programs. S.T.A.R.s are also involved with community events assisting with parking or traffic control as well as monitoring the area and “showing the colors.”

To qualify for the S.T.A.R. program, applicants must be 50 years or older, have a good driving record, no criminal history, a physical clearance from a doctor, and pass an oral interview. Mandatory participation requirements are: Volunteer a minimum of 16 hours per month, attend a monthly station meeting, purchase a uniform, and attend the Sheriff’s Office Citizen’s Academy within 18 months of becoming a S.T.A.R.

Academy training is diversified with instruction and interactive participation provided by experienced senior STAR’s, deputies, detectives, correctional officers and department administration. Training focuses on crime prevention and law enforcement support with involvement in marked vehicle patrol units, vacation home checks, community events, traffic/parking control, radio communications, emergency response support, basic law enforcement support, manning area substations, and basic office/clerical support.Starpic1

The S.T.A.R. training academy will be held at the Sheriff’s Office Training Facility located at 1337 Broadway, Placerville. Interested participants may contact the S.T.A.R. office at (530) 621-7545 for more information and an application. Application deadline is July 4th. Selected applicants will receive an acceptance letter with directions for an oral interview appointment time/location to be held July 28th – 31st, 2014.