Summary of the Training Academy

 Sergeant Victor Valdez
Academy Coordinator

Sergeant Paul Garza
Academy Instructor

Daniel Fuentes
Academy Instructor

 Al Perez
Academy Instructor

 Deputy Tom Wilemon
RangeMaster

Elva Perez
Receptionist

Mission Statement

The mission of the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Youth Academy is to build a stronger relationship with the community it serves. Promote cooperation and support for the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. Reduce crime through community involvement. Educate the youth about the functions and responsibilities of the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. Expose youths to some of the training a deputy sheriff receives at the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Academy.

Expected Outcomes

Upon graduating from the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Youths Academy the youth will:
Know some of the laws that govern their community. Know the Sheriff's Office procedures and how those procedures determine the actions a deputy sheriff takes. Be more involved in their community  to help reduce crime. Be aware of some of the issues a deputy sheriff faces when dealing with situations in the community. Know the services the Sheriff's Office provides to the community. Be able to participate in training for deputy sheriffs. Allowed to ride along with a deputy sheriff while he performs his patrol duties. Able to volunteer at the Sheriff's Office.

Upon graduating from the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Youths Academy the youth will not:
Have police powers. Be a deputy sheriff. Be employed by the Sheriff's Office.

Statistics

The first youths academy was held on September 21, 2006 and ended on December 18, 2006.  The youths academy is a thirteen week program that meets every Thursday night from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. The final night of the academy is graduation day. The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Youths Academy has completed two academies since its inception with a total of eighteen graduates.