The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office held its Citizens’ Academy graduation Oct. 23.
Sheriff Steve Sikes welcomed the participants and presented 12 certificates to this year’s graduates. The participants — all citizens of Liberty County — received their certificates at the sheriff’s office training facility.  
During the 10-week course, participants learned about many functions the sheriff is responsible for. Class topics included the different areas of the jail and its operating procedures; Liberty County dispatch; drug trends in the county and surrounding areas; the role that K-9 units play in detection; patrol, including accompanying the deputies in their units on a ride-along; court security, including a tour of the Liberty Count Justice Center; investigations and detectives’ day-to-day procedures; and precision driving on a closed course.  
After the ceremony, graduate Bill Cooke spoke to the class about his experience, saying that he had learned a great deal about what Sheriff Sikes and his office are responsible for and that he found investigations procedures especially interesting.
Sikes said he welcomes comments and observations from this year’s graduates and is looking forward to eventually doubling the number of program participants.
He emphasized how important it is to have as many citizens involved as possible.
The evening ended with a potluck supper.