Middlesex Sheriff’s Office to host Special Citizens Academy in Wakefield

The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Wakefield Police Department will be hosting a program designed specifically for adults with developmental disabilities next month, Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian has announced.

The Special Citizens Academy is a multi-week program that provides participants with information on topics such as internet safety and awareness, fire safety and first aid, and scam prevention.  Academy attendees also receive demonstrations from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) K-9 Unit, SWAT officers and Community Command Center staff on the equipment they use to assist communities.

The Wakefield Special Citizens Academy will meet four times, on February 18, 20, 25 and 27. All classes will be held from 6:00-8:00pm at the Community Room of the Wakefield Police Department.

“We are dedicated to keeping all members of our community safe, and the Special Citizens Academy is our opportunity to reach out to residents with developmental disabilities and let them know we are here to help,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “We have offered this program in a number of communities and are lucky to have a partner in the Wakefield Police Department who has offered to assist with an Academy here.”

Over 80 individuals have graduated Special Citizens Academies since Sheriff Koutoujian began them in 2017, with Academies being held in Belmont, Newton and at the MSO Training Academy in Chelmsford. Interested participants and caregivers can contact Deputy Director of Community Affairs David Halbert at 781-960-2804 to register for this or a future Academy.

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