Public Safety Academy

Now Accepting Applications for the 2023 Public Safety Academy

The 2023 Public Safety Academy begins February 7, 2023.
Sessions will be held from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM every Tuesday.

Register Online

Overview

The Roanoke County Police, in partnership with the Roanoke County Sheriff's Department, Roanoke County Fire and Rescue and the Western Virginia Regional Jail is holding its 2023 Public Safety Academy.  The goal of the Public Safety Academy is to educate citizens on why and how our agencies carry out our missions while working together as a team.

About the Roanoke County Public Safety Academy

Citizens will have the opportunity to learn about everything public safety-related in Roanoke County. 

Summary of Topics to be Covered:

Police: Patrol, Budget, Community Service Officers (CSO), School Resource Officers (SRO), Emergency Vehicle Operation Course (EVOC), Use of Force, Traffic Unit, Firearms, K9, S.W.A.T., VICE, Criminal Investigations Division (CID), Evidence collection, Academy tour, Polygraph, and Active Shooter Response. 

Sheriff: Jail history, Jail tour, Jury selection, Court security, Civil process, Criminal law, E.R.T., Clerk of Court, Services, and A.V.O.I.D. self-defense

Fire and Rescue: System overview, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), CPR and AED certification, Fire Marshall, Investigations, Inspections, Public Education, Hazmat, EMS, CPAT, Apparatus and Hose Streams, Technical Rescue and Haul Back Systems. 

Regional Jail: Facilities Tour

Roanoke County Emergency Communications Center and the Department of Wildlife Resources will also provide presentations.

The Public Safety Academy will meet every Tuesday beginning on February 7th, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.   Please see the prior Public Safety Academy Schedule (PDF) for more details.

Registration will open December 7, 2022 and close on January 31st, 2023!

Requirements for Admission: 

  • Participants must be 18 years of age or older and no longer in High School.
  • May not have any prior felony convictions or convictions of a Class 1 or 2 misdemeanor in the last five years, or four or more moving traffic violations within the last five years. 
  • Submit to a Criminal History Check
  • You do not have to be a Roanoke County Resident in order to attend.

Public Safety Academy Applications are available on-line, at the Public Safety Center located at 5925 Cove Road or at the Roanoke County Sheriff's Department located at 401 East Main Street, Salem, VA 24153. 

Register Online

See the example Public Safety Academy Schedule (PDF) for more details.

For more information, contact Officer G. Benton at 540-777-8651.