The Sevier County Sheriff's Office has launched its 2025 Citizens Academy with its inaugural class, cultivating community engagement and offering locals a glimpse into the daily operations of law enforcement. In a post on their official Facebook page, the department detailed the events of the evening, from introductory remarks by Sheriff Michael R. Hodges, Jr. and Captain Levi Morton to practical demonstrations of police work.
Attendees of the first class were immersed in real-world law enforcement scenarios, with sessions ranging from an overview of a patrol cruiser's arsenal and capabilities by Sgt. Chad Ogle to the intricate details of daily patrol operations as outlined by Sgt. Bart Tyner, demonstrating the varied facets of the Sheriff's day-to-day responsibilities, Sgt. Brad Sawyer provided a demonstration of basic handcuffing techniques and Sgt. Dalton Sellars exhibited the protective body armor that officers wear.
Bringing in a tech angle, Cpl. Brandon Watkins led a drone demonstration, showing off the high-tech help the department gets in tracking down suspects. This session included videos presenting the drone’s critical role in apprehending suspects in recent operations, with the evening's agenda culminating in a presentation by Detective Leia Loveday, who imparted Sheriff's Office statistics and brought participants up to speed on the vital work of the GIS Division.
