Various members of the Citizen Sheriff’s Academy, along with Deputies; Courtesy: Crystal Morgan

The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office is preparing to launch a new Citizen Sheriff’s Academy, offering residents a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement operations across the county.

According to Sgt. Christopher Filidei, the academy is designed to bring the community closer to law enforcement while showcasing changes made under the current administration.

“Our mission is to bring people together within our community to show the positive things that law enforcement are doing, while also showing all the different divisions and resources that we have,” Filidei said.

The program will introduce participants to a wide range of departments, including patrol, communications, criminal investigations, and specialized units. Officials said the academy also reflects recent restructuring within the sheriff’s office, including new divisions, updated naming conventions, and expanded resources.

Participants will meet command staff, including the sheriff, who will provide direct contact information for community feedback. The course will also feature presentations from prosecutors, including representatives from the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office, aimed at helping residents better understand how criminal cases are handled.

The multi-week academy includes both classroom instruction and hands-on demonstrations. Sessions will cover topics such as traffic stops, dispatch operations, and officer safety procedures. Attendees will also tour the county’s dispatch center and jail.

Additional demonstrations are planned with specialized units, including SWAT, the Special Response Group, and the county’s dive team. Officials said some demonstrations will include tactical operations such as breaching exercises and equipment showcases.

One session will be held at the College of the Mainland gun range, where participants will learn about firearm safety and training procedures.

The academy will also highlight newer initiatives within the department, including its recently developed K-9 program and expanded motorcycle patrol unit, which focuses primarily on traffic enforcement and mobility in high-congestion areas.

Filidei said the program aims to give residents a clearer understanding of why officers operate the way they do.

“A normal traffic stop, what it entails — no one really knows what’s going on when an officer stops you,” he said. “Why it takes so long, how we position our cars for safety, how we communicate with dispatch — we show them all that.”

The program is free to attend, and officials encourage residents from all backgrounds — including those who may be skeptical of law enforcement — to participate.

“We invite those kinds of people to come too so they can see the other side of it,” Filidei said. “They end up becoming some of our biggest advocates.”

The academy will conclude with a graduation ceremony and an opportunity for participants to join the Citizens Academy Alumni Association, which supports community initiatives and sheriff’s office programs throughout the year.

Officials said the program is part of a broader effort to increase transparency, strengthen community relationships, and highlight the work being done across Galveston County.

“We like them to see that we’re doing what we promised,” Filidei said.

For those interested in the Citizen Sheriff’s Academy, sign up can be found at https://sheriff.galvestoncountytx.gov/CSA.html. You can also Email Christopher.Filidei@galvestoncountytx.gov. If you miss the deadline, future classes will be held.