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After 11 weeks of classes, Class 18 graduated from the Blount County Sheriff's Citizens Academy with a better understanding of how sheriff's deputies serve and protect Blount County.

On Nov. 13, class members attended a ceremony and dinner for their graduation at the Blount County Justice Center and received a certificate for completion of the Citizen's Academy. The Daily Times participated in the 11-week program.

Blount County Sheriff James Berrong spoke to the class about their success in the academy and his appreciation for the citizens who had the desire to learn more about the sheriff's office.

"Hopefully, after a number of weeks, you understand a little bit better about what we do and when you read about it in the paper -- (you understand) why we do certain things certain ways," Berrong told the Citizens Academy. "I really hope you enjoyed it. As I told you the first night, it's always one of our highlights of the year to see some friendly faces come in and to be able to take time to explain to you all about law enforcement."

Most of the students said they most liked the "hands on" classes in the Citizens Academy. The class members were able to shoot some of the sheriff's office firearms, ride along at the driving course for a mock pursuit, play the roles of deputies in a domestic violence situation and traffic stops and watch corrections officers demonstrate their less-than-lethal weapons. Many of the students said they also found the class taught by BCSO Assistant Chief Don Benson on police stress beneficial and enlightening.

Police stress course

In that class, Benson explained how day-to-day stress that deputies endure "can traumatize officers and poison their spirits."

"Stress kills more law enforcement officers than criminals do each year," Benson said.

He also talked about the importance of leaving work at work, and how deputies should not carry their work stresses into their personal lives.

"One of the key elements, at least for me, was you don't take it home," Benson said. "You file it. Unfortunately, when that filing cabinet gets full ... you crash, sometimes you burn."

Benson explained how many law enforcement officers can suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the importance of providing help for officers to deal with these stresses.

Class members of the Citizens Academy seemed to all be in agreement that it is a great program for Blount County citizens to get involved with.

"I would definitely recommend citizens taking the Sheriff's Citizens Academy," class member Lynsey Young said. "I think it gives you a better idea of what the officers do and what all the law enforcement and corrections officers do."

"I think every citizen in Blount County should take it and see what these officers do and how they do it for us," class member Josette Coapman added. "And maybe then, we could see about getting them some more money."

Breaks down barrier

Steven Moulder, member of class 18, said he thinks the Citizens Academy breaks down the barrier of the "us versus them" mentality between citizens and law enforcement.

"They're human beings," Moulder said. "They're real human beings just like you and I. They have a difficult job and they are masterful in the way they accomplish their job. But we don't have an appreciation as civilians for what their life is like."

Class member Charlie Palmer said he thinks the Citizens Academy is a course that everybody should at least have the opportunity to take. He said he also thinks they should be teaching "revised type courses of this kind in the elementary, the middle and the high schools."

Community Outreach Director Jarrod Millsaps said he encourages residents of Blount County to take the Citizens Academy to clear up some of "rumors and misconceptions" of the sheriff's office, gain friendships in law enforcement and learn more about the deputies' duties.

"I encourage it," Millsaps said. "And just learn where their tax money is going and learn what we're doing to be proactive instead of a lot of the negative things that you hear."

"And also see, we're just like you all," Deputy Darren Sharp said. "We're human, we can cut up. We can have fun just like anybody else. But we have a job to do and we do our job."

The following citizens graduated from the 11-week program: Brandon Allen, Megan Beal, Charles Sparks, Ron Hawkins, Jessica Stith, Kelly Bowling, George Moore, Josette Coapman, Ginger Gilmore, Shelly Dunkel, Phyllis Davis, Glenn Davis, Robyn Payne, Francis Gross, Norman Gross, Charlie Palmer, Tim Stinnett, Debby Hanshaw, Marcus Miller, Steve Muelder, Glenn Garman and Lynsey Young.