Wichita County Sheriff's Office Hosts Citizens Academy

17 students begin 13-week program to learn about law enforcement operations

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Wichita County Sheriff's Office in Texas has kicked off its annual Citizens Academy program, with 17 students enrolled in the 13-week course. Over the next few months, participants will get an inside look at law enforcement, including tours of jails, ride-alongs, and demonstrations of officer training.

Why it matters

The Citizens Academy aims to build stronger relationships between the sheriff's office and the local community by educating residents on the day-to-day work of law enforcement. This type of program can help improve transparency and trust between police and citizens.

The details

During the first session, students were fingerprinted, photographed for ID cards, and given a comprehensive tour of the sheriff's office facilities. They will continue learning about the history and operations of the department in the weeks ahead, with opportunities to ride along with deputies and observe training exercises.

  • The 2026 Citizens Academy class began on February 7, 2026.
  • The 13-week program will run through May 2026.

The players

Wichita County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency hosting the Citizens Academy program to engage with the local community.

Lila Rangel

A retired community member who enrolled in the Citizens Academy to build better relationships with deputies.

Timothy Richardson

A student in the Citizens Academy who is interested in learning more about how the sheriff's department operates.

Jack Roe

A participant who has previously attended citizens' academies with other organizations and wanted to gain a better understanding of the Wichita County Sheriff's Office.

Deputy Joyner

A sheriff's office representative who explained the purpose of the Citizens Academy program.

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What they’re saying

“I wanted to enroll in the Citizens Academy so I can have a better relationship with law enforcement, to see the ins and outs of it, that way I can help other people understand the law enforcement community.”

— Lila Rangel, Retired community member (newschannel6now.com)

“I've always wanted to do it really to learn more about how the sheriff's department operates, getting to meet some of the deputies and building a rapport with them.”

— Timothy Richardson, Student (newschannel6now.com)

“I learned about the different things these organizations do in our community, so I wanted to do this one as well to get a good understanding of what the sheriff's department does.”

— Jack Roe, Participant (newschannel6now.com)

“We feel it's a good way to connect with our citizens the more they know about what we do and how we do it, if we have to respond to their house, they'll understand what's going on.”

— Deputy Joyner, Sheriff's Office Representative (newschannel6now.com)

What’s next

The Citizens Academy will continue next week with a focus on the history of the Wichita County Sheriff's Office and the behind-the-scenes work required to keep operations running smoothly.

The takeaway

The Wichita County Sheriff's Office's Citizens Academy program provides an invaluable opportunity for community members to gain a deeper understanding of law enforcement and build stronger relationships with local deputies. By fostering transparency and engagement, these types of initiatives can help bridge the gap between police and the public they serve.