Sheriff’s Auxiliary class to begin in January

The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office announced the next auxiliary training class is scheduled to begin Jan. 16.

According to a release signed by Sheriff Phil R. Stamitti, the auxiliary was founded in 1957 and in the intervening 60 years, it has proved to be dedicated and efficient.

The group is made up of volunteers who seek to strengthen the Sheriff’s Office and offer supplements to deputies and corrections officers.

The class is open to all U.S. citizens with a high school diploma and “are of impeccable character,” the release said. According to the release, last year, volunteers donated 17,361 hours to the Sheriff’s Office.

Auxiliary officers volunteer in three basic areas of duty:

• Cruiser duty: Volunteers who meet the requirements and receive training are assigned to road deputies augmenting the deputy in the performance of their duties.

• Jail duty: Augmenting corrections officers in their demanding duties at the County Jail.

• Special duty: Volunteers would assist with traffic control and security at events like the Lorain County Fair and other festivals across the county.

Applicants must pass a background check and interview by auxiliary command staff. If accepted, they are required to complete the 110hour training academy that will teach them about procedures, self-defense, search and seizure and Ohio law, the release said.

Anyone interested in applying for the next training class, must complete an application by Dec. 31.

Applications can be obtained by writing, calling, stopping by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, 9896 Murray Ridge Road in Elyria, or from their website at loraincountysheriff.com.