Captain Clay Smith
(706) 541-2876

The Community Services Division is responsible for overseeing various volunteer service programs. Community service is just another positive aspect of the Community Oriented Policing concept adopted by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Citizens are willing to participate in programs such as the Reserve Unit, the Explorer Program, the ATV Ready Unit and the Citizens Auxiliary Unit because it gives the community a sense of security and partnership with its local law enforcement.

RESERVE UNIT
Reserve Deputy Training
For more information, please contact the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Community Services Division at (706) 541-2856.

The first Columbia County Sheriff's Office Reserve Unit began their service in April 1993. Since that time, over 200 men and women have participated in the program. The Reserve Unit saves our taxpayers thousands of dollars each year.  There are currently 19 Reserve officers serving the CCSO, and these officers have the exact same responsibilities and authority as full time paid officers. In 2009 their combined total hours were 4,723.They volunteer their time in all areas of the Sheriff's Office, including Patrol, Investigations, Vice & Narcotics, Special Operations, and the Detention Center.

Any person desiring to join the CCSO's Reserve Unit must satisfactorily complete the State of Georgia Mandate Course to become a Certified Peace Officer. This training course is conducted at the Regional Police Academy- Augusta, located in Richmond County, Georgia. The curriculum includes:

 

 Georgia Law  Firearms Training  Ethics & Professionalism  Family Violence  Warrants & Affidavits  Juvenile Offender  Mechanics of Arrest  Law Enforcement Driving  Report Writing  Officer Survival  Fingerprinting  Gang Awareness  Impaired Driving  Motor Vehicle Theft  Accident Reporting

 Criminal Law  Liability Training  Communications  Motor Vehicle Law  Search & Seizure  Cultural Diversity  Stress  Rules of Evidence  Interviews and Interrogation  Crisis Intervention  Organized Crime  Traffic Enforcement  Robbery Investigation  Traffic Control & Direction  Bombs & Explosives

 First Aid  Career Development  Criminal Procedure  Hazardous Materials  Criminal Justice System  Mental Health  Death Investigation  Interpersonal Communications  Surveillance  Crime Scene Processing  Vice & Narcotics  Mechanics of Arrest  Burglary Investigation  Arson Investigation  Arrest Booking Procedures

Explorer Post 63
The CCSO Explorer Post 63 is a program designed to introduce high school students to the basic fundamentals of law enforcement.  The program was implemented in 1996 and we currently have 12 active members. Most teens become Explorers because they are considering a career in law enforcement, and this program allows them to observe first hand the daily operations of the Sheriff's Office. Explorer Post 63 members attend various training classes held twice a month form September through June.

ATV Ready Unit
In January 1996, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office established an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Ready Unit made up of citizens throughout the county who graciously volunteer their time and equipment to assist local law enforcement. The ATV Ready Unit has been mobilized during manhunts and in the search for missing persons to transport supplies and manpower. The unit has also been a tremendous asset to help with security and parking at various events throughout the county, such as the Columbia County Fair.  Members of the ATV Ready Unit are required to attend quarterly meetings and training sessions. Rider safety, search and rescue practical exercises, and CPR are some of the topics covered in training. The ATV Ready Unit, which currently has 20 members, is a great resource of manpower and equipment to augment the CCSO in emergency situations.

Citizens Auxiliary Unit
The citizens of Columbia County are a valuable resource. Sheriff Whittle realizes that citizens are willing to provide volunteer support to enhance his agency's efforts to deter crime, and the Auxiliary Unit was initiated to capitalize on this resource. Auxiliary members have donated their time in many ways, such as fingerprinting children, directing traffic, assisting the Detention Center, and delivering bottled water and hot meals to deputies in the field during a crisis situation.

If you are interested in further information regarding any of these volunteer organizations, contact the Community Services Unit at 706-541-2856.  All Auxiliary members must attend the Citizen's Law Enforcement as a prerequisite.

G.R.E.A.T.
Around 2000 students at eight middle schools are taught each year. The CCSO currently has six G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education Training) instructors. G.R.E.A.T. is taught to all 6th grade students in the Columbia County school system.

Neighborhood Watch

• Neighborhood Watch is a citizens involvement program in which citizens, in cooperation with each other and local law enforcement, work together in the detection and prevention of crime in their neighborhood.
• Neighborhood Watch is a national trend. Thousands of communities across the country participate in this crime prevention program.
• Columbia County currently has 111active Neighborhood Watch contacts.

To develop a Neighborhood Watch in your area, contact Deputy Chris Robertson at (706) 541-2051.

Citizens Law Enforcement Academy
The Citizens Law Enforcement Academy allows citizens to get an inside look at the operations of their Sheriff's Office, Detention Center, and 911 Center.  The next class will be held September 16 - November 18, 2010.  Applications are currently being accepted.  View for more information or contact Community Services at (706) 541-2856.  This class is full.

Crime Prevention Presentations
The CCSO's Crime Prevention Officer can:

 

• Show how to protect your home.
• Show how to protect your neighborhood.
• Show how to protect your car.
• Explain how to avoid falling prey to telemarketing fraud.
• Provide safety awareness tips.

Crime prevention in and around your home is essential. View more tips on home security, vehicle theft prevention and child internet safety.

ID-A-CHILD

• ID-A-Child information packets contain fingerprints, a current Polaroid photo, and pertinent information about the child.
• ID-A-Child sessions are held at churches, day care centers, schools, and shopping centers.
• There is no charge for this service.

FILE of LIFE

• The File of Life is an information packet containing medical, emergency contact, and insurance information for seniors.
• File of Life packets are distributed at churches, assisted-living centers, nursing homes, senior centers, and shopping centers.
• There is no charge for this service.

TRIAD

• TRIAD is a national crime prevention program sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the National Sheriff's Association (NSA), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).
• TRIAD is managed locally by a S.A.L.T. Council (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together), a 7–member advisory group comprised of seniors, clergy, business and health care professionals, and service organization members.
• Programs include senior ID cards, safety tips, and crime prevention for the elderly.

Annual Projects

• Georgia Special Olympics Torch Run
• Day with a Deputy
• Explorer Competitions
• Columbia County Back to School Festival