Citizen’s Academy

The Sheriff’s Office is presenting the 30th Sheriff’s Citizens Police Academy. The Sheriff’s Office and The DeKalb County Farm Bureau have sponsored the academy since its inception in 1996.
The Academy is scheduled to begin Thursday, January 8th, 2026, and will conclude with a graduation celebration at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau on March 19th, 2026. Classes are from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. for 10 consecutive Thursday evenings and will be held primarily at the Community Outreach Building in DeKalb and the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office in Sycamore. The Academy is not meant to prepare individuals for a law enforcement career but is an educational opportunity for DeKalb County Citizens. The Academy has been developed to give citizens a realistic view of the Criminal Justice System in DeKalb County, at the same time giving Sheriff’s Staff the opportunity to interact with citizens in a positive atmosphere. Citizens from all walks of life have enjoyed and graduated from the academy.
Instructors for the academy include deputies from the Sheriff's Office and other segments within the Criminal Justice System. Academy topics cover several areas including:
  • arrest procedures
  • criminal law
  • criminal law
  • domestic violence
  • traffic stops
  • telecommunications
  • corrections
  • judicial perspective
  • active shooter response for citizens
Many of the classes include optional hands-on involvement by members of the Academy. Coordinators for the Academy are Detective Sean Conlon, and Detective Meagan Pettengell.

Those interested in attending the Citizens Police Academy may click on the application link below.  Please email completed applications to: CitizensAcademy@dekalbcounty.org.

Any questions please call: (815) 895-7260.  There is no registration fee, however, class size is limited, the deadline for registration is December 26th, 2025.

Early registration is strongly encouraged.

Application
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
Live or work within DeKalb County
Basic background checks are conducted on all applicants

Watch the downloadable Citizen’s Academy video on YouTube