Wichita County Citizens Academy Offers Hands-On Patrol Experience

Students get behind the wheel of a police cruiser and practice felony traffic stops

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:54pm

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Students in the Wichita County Sheriff's Office Citizens Academy were given a firsthand look at patrol operations, including the chance to drive a patrol unit and practice a simulated felony traffic stop. The exercise aimed to help students better understand the stress officers face and the split-second decisions they must make to keep the community safe.

Why it matters

The Citizens Academy program provides valuable insight into law enforcement training and procedures, helping to build trust and understanding between the community and the sheriff's office.

The details

During the academy session, Sgt. Rob McGarry and Lt. Greg Wilson explained the equipment and capabilities of the patrol vehicles, which can reach speeds up to 130 mph. Students then got to drive the vehicles through a slalom course, experiencing how quickly officers must react to changing road conditions. They also practiced felony traffic stops, using training firearms to safely remove a driver and passenger from a stopped vehicle.

  • The Citizens Academy session took place on March 16, 2026.
  • Next week, the academy will explore more divisions within the sheriff's office, including evidence processing.

The players

Sgt. Rob McGarry

A sergeant with the Wichita County Sheriff's Office who led the patrol operations demonstration.

Lt. Greg Wilson

A lieutenant with the Wichita County Sheriff's Office who assisted with the patrol operations demonstration.

Melvin Joyner

A deputy with the Wichita County Sheriff's Office who served as an instructor for the Citizens Academy.

Linda Brown

A student in the Wichita County Sheriff's Office Citizens Academy.

Ray Antione

A student in the Wichita County Sheriff's Office Citizens Academy.

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What they’re saying

“You can feel the power in them. If I were to, say, have to chase somebody, I would feel comfortable in that car knowing that I could keep up.”

— Linda Brown, Student

“It changed my perspective because that's what they deal with on a day-to-day basis. Every single day they put on the uniform and go protect and serve the community. Knowing that they do this every day being behind it wakes you up and lets you know this is real, and they have to be trained to do this every single day.”

— Ray Antione, Student

“It's meant to show you this is what our deputies do numerous times during their career. Again, you never know what that person inside that vehicle has do they have a gun? Do they have a knife? This is how we have to do it.”

— Melvin Joyner, Deputy

What’s next

Next week, the Citizens Academy will explore more divisions within the sheriff's office, including the people responsible for handling and processing evidence.

The takeaway

The Citizens Academy program provides valuable hands-on experience that helps build trust and understanding between the community and law enforcement, giving participants a deeper appreciation for the training and split-second decisions officers must make to keep the public safe.