The Community Services Division, commanded by Capt. J.D. Nolin, is committed to reaching out to all segments of our community, from children to seniors. This division is responsible for programs that educate our citizens on how to be as safe as possible and avoid being a victim of a crime, as well as providing many outlets for the public to be involved with Law Enforcement and the community around them.

Reaching out to your youth remained a top priority in the year 2000.  The Junior Deputy and Explorer Programs give youth ages 10 to 21 the opportunity to learn about Law Enforcement, the justice system and the importance of community service from a Deputy's point of view. These year round programs provide a safe, educational alternative gathering place for our kids. A week long Youth Academy was held to give young people a behind the scenes look at how the Sheriff's Office works, including gun safety classes and driving training held at a local go cart track.  To reach at risk youth, school resource officers hosted a Wilderness Camp, which teaches the value of teamwork, dedication and making positive life choices. D.A.R.E. Deputies traveled to 10 schools each week for most of the year to teach students to say no to drugs and alcohol, and school resource officers provided security and guidance at 11 schools daily.  Two new programs were added to our lineup this year. Bicycle Safety is a program which emphasizes to elementary school students the importance of wearing helmets and following traffic laws.  Church Watch provides security checks and safety tips to area religious centers. A 12 week Citizen's Police Academy, which began in 1995, was offered in the Fall and Spring of 2000 to give local citizens a look at the operations and functions of the Sheriff's Office.  Many who attended the academy joined the Alumni Association, which offers opportunities to volunteer at various functions of the office.  Last year they put in more than 4,000 hours of volunteer time.

Because many times we only hear about our youth when they have done something negative, a program called "Do The Right Thing" was formed.   The Sheriff's Office, in partnership with local media, recognize young people who set good examples for their classmates.

Seniors in Bay County can also benefit from several programs offered by Community Services, including the Gatekeeper Program, which provides daily phone calls to area seniors to ensure their safety and independence.  Longstanding Neighborhood Watch programs help create a network of neighbors who learn to take charge of the safety and security of their homes.

Community Services also houses the Training section, which arranges for weekly continuing education classes for sworn personnel, and Internal Investigations, which performs background checks for potential employees, investigates traffic crashes and other personnel matters and assists with risk management.  A partnership with Crimestoppers rounds out the Community Services Division's arsenal of programs designed to protect, educate and inform the citizens of Bay County.

Patch Collectors, If you are interested in requesting a patch from the Bay County Sheriff's Office send email to: patches@bayso.org