The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will graduate its ninth Citizens’ Academy class on Tuesday, November 20, 2007, at 6:00 p.m., at the Sheriff’s Office Training Academy, 993 Dovecrest. Twenty-seven (27) students will graduate.

“This has been an excellent opportunity for people to learn more about the inner-workings of the Sheriff’s Office. I commend these citizens for giving several weeks of their time to learn more about law enforcement and how they can assist us in our efforts to keep Memphis and Shelby County a safe place to live and work,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton will give the keynote address. During the ten week course, students saw equipment demonstrations, participated in group discussions and attended presentations by officers and staff members from various Sheriff’s Office bureaus.

With next Tuesday night’s ceremony, 159 people will have graduated from the academy which began in 2003. The next Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Academy class will begin next spring.

Those interested in attending the next class may call the Sheriff’s Office Training Academy at (901) 387-5750 or register by E-mail at the Sheriff’s Office website at http://www.shelby-sheriff.org/programs/citizens_academy.asp. Students must pass a criminal background check to be included in the class.