Sentinel Program


 

The Duncan Police Department is now accepting applications for Sentinels.  The next academy will start the last week of January.  Applications must be submitted no later than January 17, 2002, to be considered.  

 

The Sentinel Program is a volunteer organization serving the Duncan Police Department. It consists of men and women over the age of 21 from all walks of life.

  Sentinel Duties - The Sentinel members augment the services provided by the Duncan Police Department. They do not perform duties which will place them in danger. With crime becoming an ever increasing concern for citizens, many of them want to actively help their community in some way. The Sentinel program provides this opportunity for citizens to give something back to the community, and it also assists the Department in providing services that the citizens of Duncan have come to appreciate from its Police Department, such a funeral escorts, residence checks, and public assists. Other areas in which they can work are, but not limited to: training division, front desk duties, property and identification, the Chief's office, or patrol division.

The Sentinel program is not a stepping stone to becoming a police officer. Our best Sentinels are individuals who have secure employment and are just wanting to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. "Citizens in Service to the Community" is the motto of the Sentinel program, and it is proudly displayed on the shirt logo. The Duncan Police Department is proud of its Sentinels, and the Sentinels are proud of their Police Department.

Are You Interested? - Interested volunteers must complete an extensive application process including a full background check. The purpose of this process is to ensure that those accepted to the program will protect the confidentiality of sensitive materials and situations that occasionally occur. An oral interview board rates the applicant's suitability for acceptance into the program The applicant then appears before an oral interview board, after which the selection is made and sent to the Chief of Police for final approval.

Sentinel Academy - Sentinel members then begin the academy which is held at the Duncan Police Department located at 7th and Willow. The academy lasts approximately 40 hours and is conducted over a five week time frame. The classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. with exception of Firearms Training which will be conducted on one Saturday during the course schedule.  Since the Sentinels will become "ambassadors" of the Duncan Police Department, the Department strives to train them in the best way possible, keeping in mind that the intent is not to produce fully trained police officers. Classes conducted during the academy include, but not limited to: First Aid/C.P.R., weapons familiarization, criminal law, civil law, juvenile procedures, crime prevention, and defensive driving. The academy concludes with a graduation attended by members of the Police Department and city government. Sentinels who have graduated then volunteer a minimum of four hours per week, or sixteen hours per month to the program.

Who to Contact - The application process for the next academy is available at the Front Desk of the Police Department.  We will also advertise the process through the local media. If you wish to be a member of this organization, contact Lieutenant Chris Ray at 255-2112.

Our First Academy Graduates - 2001.

Annie Newman

 

Gary Sutton

 

JoAnn Neal

 

Danny Whiteside

 

Klarice Dant

 

 Debra Wade Jimmy Dockall

 

 

 

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