Community Programs
NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim®
NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim® program teaches the tips and techniques you need to be alerted to dangerous situations and to avoid becoming a victim. Safety experts agree the single most important step toward ensuring your personal safety is making the conscious decision to Refuse To Be A Victim®. You stand a much better chance of preventing criminal attack if you develop a safety plan before you need it. That is why the Refuse To Be A Victim® crime ...Read More
Citizen’s Law Enforcement Academy
The Citizen’s Law Enforcement Academy is a free, informational course that educates members of the community about the roles and responsibilities of the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office. Participants receive weekly training about the varied functions of law enforcement. Topics of interest for this program include, but are not limited to, crime scene processing, criminal law basics, patrol tactics, firearms, police canine usage, search and seizure, and many other topics. Participants are introduced to officers as well as the command staff that ...Read More
Elderly Watch
The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office offers an elderly watch program. Officers work with the Senior Center to identify senior citizens who do not have family members who can check on their welfare during severe weather. In 2011, Dawson County received snow and ice on multiple occasions. During this time, the Senior Center ran out of food and was unable to receive supplies from their supplier. The Sheriff’s Office prepared food at the Detention Center, and officers utilized four-wheel drive vehicles to deliver food to dozens of senior citizens’ homes. These officers also assisted with snow removal at these homes, delivered medications, and assisted one citizen with heating repair at no expense to the citizen. To enroll a senior citizen in this program or obtain more information, please email Administrative Assistant Anne Martin at annmartin@dawsoncountysheriff.org
Citizen’s Firearms Training
The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office proudly supports your Right to Keep and Bear Arms. As an advocate of safe and responsible gun ownership, the Sheriff’s Office offers training designed to impart safe and effective weapon handling and use. For further information, please email Administrative Assistant Anne Martin at annmartin@dawsoncountysheriff.org
Junior Police Academy
The Advanced Junior Police Academy is an extension of the Junior Police Academy for children. Participants must be enrolled in 7th or 8th grade. This three-day program builds upon lessons learned in the Junior Police Academy. Group size is smaller to ensure participants receive more individualized instruction. This program includes practical applications of topics such as crime scene processing and use of force. Registration is conducted through the Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers.
Advanced Junior Police Academy
The Advanced Junior Police Academy is an extension of the Junior Police Academy for children. Participants must be enrolled in 7th or 8th grade. This three-day program builds upon lessons learned in the Junior Police Academy. Group size is smaller to ensure participants receive more individualized instruction. This program includes practical applications of topics such as crime scene processing and use of force. Registration is conducted through the Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers.
CHAMPS Program
The CHAMPS program is the core crime prevention program offered to our children. The Dawson County Board of Education requires all 5th grade students to participate in this program. The School Board heavily supports this program with partial and full funding of school resource officer positions. The class is conducted by the Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers.
Family Connections Mentoring Program
The Dawson County Family Connection directs this program, which offers children positive role models. Volunteers mentor and encourage positive behaviors. Since the program’s inception, several Dawson County officers have volunteered with this program. Officer Stan Harrison actively participates with this program. To learn more about the Dawson County Family Connection, please visit gafcp.org/fcnetwork/dawson.
Jail tours for unruly juveniles
Parents often request tours of the Dawson County Detention Center for unruly juveniles. With parental consent and Sheriff Johnson’s approval, juveniles are exposed to the daily life of current inmates. This tour emphasizes freedoms that are denied to individuals in custody. Special Note - This is not a “scared straight” type of offering.
Shop with a Cop
Shop with a Cop offers children the opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts for themselves and/or family members. First responders volunteer to accompany participants during shopping trips and help them manage their allotted funds. We greatly appreciate the financial support received from our community. Without your generous contributions, many of our area youth would unfortunately go without.
Neighborhood Watch
As a continuing effort to strengthen our community, an emphasis is being placed on neighborhood watch programs. Although these programs have been sporadic throughout the years, it is the intent of the Sheriff’s Office to elevate the coordination and management of this most valuable program. Sheriff Jeff Johnson acknowledges, “No one knows their neighborhood better than those who live in it. We ask our residents to be our eyes and our ears. Call us and allow us to respond in ...Read More