The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is offering two separate opportunities this spring for residents to learn more about the agency, connect with law enforcement, and hear directly from Sheriff Rick Staly about crime trends and public safety plans for 2026.
Sheriff’s Citizens Academy — Starting March 31
The spring 2026 session of the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy kicks off March 31 and runs through May 7. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Operations Center in Bunnell. The program is free and open to the public.
The academy gives participants an inside look at how the FCSO operates, covering divisions including Investigative Services, Community Policing, Victim Services, Crime Scene Investigations, SWAT, and the Marine Unit. Attendees will observe demonstrations by the Traffic and Motor Unit and the K-9 Unit, take part in shoot-don’t-shoot exercises, visit the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center, and the Emergency Operations Center, and have the option to ride along with a deputy on patrol.
Sheriff Staly described the purpose of the program. “Getting to know your Sheriff’s Office is what this academy is all about,” Staly said. “The men and women of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office are proud to put on the badge every day and serve you. This academy provides participants a behind the scenes look of everything involved with serving and protecting Flagler County. They even have the option to ride with a deputy as they go on patrol.”
To participate, residents must be at least 18 years old, live or work in Flagler County, and have no prior felony arrests and no misdemeanor arrests within the last 12 months. After completing the program, graduates may join the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy Alumni Association.
Applications and more information are available at flaglersheriff.com. Questions can also be directed to the Community Engagement Unit by calling 386-586-4845 or emailing CommunityEngagement@FlaglerSheriff.com.
Addressing Crime Together — April 9
On Thursday, April 9, Sheriff Staly will host the ninth annual Addressing Crime Together meeting — known as ACT — beginning at 2 p.m. at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Operations Center. The approximately two-hour meeting is also being streamed live on Facebook. No registration is required.
At the meeting, Staly will present crime trends, safety initiatives, and the agency’s plans for the year ahead and take questions from the public.
Staly shared what attendees can expect. “The ACT meeting is held annually to connect the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office with the community and receive instant feedback from the public. We have an incredible relationship with the community and that starts with transparency and engagement,” Staly said. “Since I became your Sheriff, crime has been reduced by more than 50 percent despite the fast growth we have experienced. During the ACT presentation we will discuss the initiatives that FCSO uses to decrease crime even further. Our team has done a phenomenal job and because of that the community has rallied around us and embraced the guardianship policing philosophy. An engaged community is an informed and safer community.”
Visitors attending in person will also have the opportunity to tour the FCSO museum, which displays the history of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office dating back to 1917.
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