Community Services

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Community Services Division goals are two-fold: to promote citizen participation in the reduction and prevention of crime through education, and to provide educational and safety related programs based on community needs.

The Community Services Division accomplishes its mission through the development and presentation of various programs in response to the changing needs of the county, as well as maintaining established prevention, safety and educational programs. Members of this division duties include speaking to various groups on crime prevention methods, distributing crime prevention literature and maintaining liaisons with neighborhood watch groups.

The Community Services Division is staffed with five uniformed deputies and one administrative assistant. It is commanded by Captain Wendy K. George.

The Community Services Division has implemented numerous policies and programs designed to achieve its goal of involving the community in making Richmond County and safer place to live and work. Download our brochure for more information.

Citizens Police Academy:
A 12-week program for Richmond County residents taught by certified Richmond County Sheriff’s Instructors. Participants are involved in actual training sessions to get a broader understanding of the police function. Sessions last approximately 90 minutes and participants will meet once a week on a designated evening. Participants must pass a criminal history background check.
Click here for an application and Email to TNewton@augustaga.gov

Reserve Deputy Program
Members of the Reserve Unit must meet the same selection criteria required for applicants for the position of Deputy Sheriff. Reserve deputies serve on a volunteer, unpaid basis for a minimum commitment of 20 hours per month.

Applicants must:  

• Be residents of Richmond County
• Be P.O.S.T. certified
• Pass a Criminal History background check
• Possess a valid Georgia Driver’s License and possesses a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED)  

Youth Explorer’s Program
This program's goal is to enhance the Explorers' preparation for future roles as citizens, community members, leaders and future law enforcement officers. The goal of the program is to provide members with a basic knowledge of the field of law enforcement.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• 16-20 years old
• Complete an “Exploring Youth Application” form
• Complete a “Video/Photo Release Agreement” form
• Satisfactory background check
• Complete a successful interview

Citizens Advisory Board
This 13-member board meets with the Sheriff once a month to discuss issues and to make suggestions and recommendations to improve the community and the Sheriff’s Office. The membership includes one representative from each of the county's 10 voting districts, one high school teacher, one person appointed by the mayor and another person appointed by the Chamber of Commerce.
    
Sheriff’s Advisory Council
This council consists of representatives who do not possess rank from each division of the sheriff's Office. Members meet once a month with the Sheriff to discuss ideas and to make suggestions to improve their divisions and the Sheriff’s Office.

C.H.A.M.P.S Program
Today’s students face dangers older generations could not have imagined. Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety (C.H.A.M.P.S.) was founded in 2003 by the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association to address these urgent challenges. The program is currently for fifth graders, but the goal is to eventually extend this program into the middle schools and high schools. C.H.A.M.P.S. lesson plans are taught by certified deputy sheriffs who have successfully completed C.H.A.M.P.S. instructor training.

Neighborhood Watch Program
Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program that stresses education and common sense. It teaches residents how to help themselves by identifying and reporting suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. In addition, it provides them with the opportunity to make their neighborhoods safer and improve the quality of life. Neighborhood Watch groups typically focus on observation and awareness as a means of preventing crime. Contact the Community Services Division to obtain information on setting up a Neighborhood Watch in your community.
    
Fallen Officer Acknowledgement Program
The Sheriff's Office honors the officers who have paid the ultimate price in keeping the peace. An up-to-date list of all deputies from the RCSO who were killed in the line of duty has been compiled and these fallen officers are properly acknowledged and recognized within the agency on the anniversaries of their deaths and on a daily basis on this website.

Recruitment
Select RCSO Deputies meet with students from local colleges and universities at various recruitment sites about careers in law enforcement. The Sheriff's Office takes great pride in hiring highly qualified candidates of the highest integrity for all positions.