The first Medina County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Law Enforcement Academy started in 1995.  The first class was held at the Medina County Career Center due to lack of space at the old Jail facility.  No class was held in 1996.

In 1997, when Sheriff Neil F. Hassinger took office, he brought back the Citizen's Academy.  Sheriff Hassinger believes that a good working relationship between the citizens of Medina County and Law Enforcement Officers enhances the safety of our community.

Under Sheriff Hassinger’s administration, over 200 citizens have attended the Medina County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Law Enforcement Academy.  Outside funding sources are sought to cover the cost to run the Academy.

The Academy now runs once a year for eleven weeks and is open to any Medina County resident who is eighteen years of age or older and who does not have a criminal record. 

Subjects include: Overview of the Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Justice System & Laws of Arrest, Community Oriented Policing, Ethics, Crime Prevention Programs, Corrections Division, DARE/SRO & Drug Task Force, Domestic Violence, 911 & Communications, Detective Bureau, Patrol Division & SWAT, K-9 & Mounted Units, Unarmed Self Defense, Ride-a-Long with a Deputy on patrol, live fire range and several other optional classes.