Citizens Criminal Justice Academy

Program Schedule Info

Session Details:

• Wednesday, September 17- December 17, 2025
  
• Class meets 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  
• Palm Beach County Sheriff's Community Room
• 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33406

Topics Covered Throughout the Years

1st Appearance Court 211, a Help Line 911, A lifeline Border Control CJC is going to the Dogs! Meet various professional canines Code Enforcement makes neighborhoods safe Court Security and tour Creating Safe environments to avoid crime Crime Scene Investigations Crime Statistics in PBC Cybercrime, keeping you and your loved ones safe Domestic Terrorism Domestic Violence Awareness and Solutions Florida Fish and Wildlife Forensic Science, the future of Law Enforcement Gangs in Palm Beach County GEO, a private prison Helping Courts: Veteran’s Adult Drug Court, Civil Drug Court, and Juvenile Drug Court Homelessness in Palm Beach County and Solutions Hurricanes, the weather and Public Safety Immigration and Education Jail, an inside look from the outside Judges, a roundtable with discussion Jury Duty, and Tour Juvenile Justice/Juvenile Judges Meet the Medical Examiner and Tour Narcotics, trends and support Park Ranger, there to help PBSO Crime fighting Weapons PBSO Helicopters, an eye in the sky

PBSO Internal Affairs Process PBSO Mental Health/Behavioral Heath Police Chiefs and You, an intimate discussion Police Recruit Training Port of Palm Beach Records Request/Risk Protection Orders Sago Palm, a state funded Re-Entry Prison School Board Police Shoot Don’t Shoot/Taser Demonstration Shoot/Don’t Shoot/Taser demonstration Special Graduation Ceremony SVU, Special Victim’s Unit Technology/Body worn cameras The role of the Public Defender The role of the State Attorney The Role of the Courts Traffic/Traffic Investigations TSA Victim’s Services Violent Crime in Palm Beach County What is use of force? Youth Court in Palm Beach County Youth Services

Testimonials & Participant Experience

What Past Participants Are Saying:

"Thank you to you, your team and the wonderful speakers last night. Everything was GREAT, so enlightening."  Anonymous Participant

"Thank you for inviting us to participate in the Citizen Criminal Justice Academy last night. It is always a pleasure to speak to such an engaged and interactive group. We both particularly enjoyed seeing all the young adults interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement and legal careers. Once again, thank you for coordinating this opportunity." Judge James L. Martz Circuit Judge, 15th Judicial Circuit, Judge Rosemarie Scher, Circuit Court Judge

"I thoroughly enjoyed the Academy.  I am very knowledgeable about these issues but I had no idea of depth that the Academy covers.  I will continue to recommend this to each and every member of COBRA.  We don’t know, what we don’t know." Steve Slade – 37th Class Criminal Justice Committee, COBRA 

"I took the lass hoping to receive a more nuanced briefing of criminal justice.  I needed a balance.  Ms. Murray is so impartial that she allows the dialogue, but helps us stick to the data. Although there is great room for emotion, we know the facts are all that matters and we learned the facts could sometimes fall into an area of grey. " Rev. Patty Apperlee - 36th Class First United Methodist Church, West Palm Beach

"Thank you for bringing this information to the Glades.  Knowledge is power!" Councilwoman Clara Murvin, Pahokee City Commission – 38th Class

“My husband and I just completed the 2017 Citizen’s Criminal Justice Academy. We were so impressed by the content of the program, organization, quality of the speakers and presentations and accommodations. There is no other way we know of to get this kind of information in an enjoyable format with an interested group of class participants. We thank you for offering this program to the community. From the jail to the morgue and beyond, this comprehensive program is vital to the community to deepen their knowledge of and respect for Palm Beach criminal justice. We wish you continued success in this fine program.” Gwen & Michael Kleper Bentley Strada (support animal)