Programs

D.R.I.V.E. is a comprehensive, two-day defensive driving program conducted by the School Resource Officers. Students will receive personal training from Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office driving instructors on the driving experience that directly correlates to the leading causes of teen crashes and fatalities.

The goal of D.R.I.V.E. focuses on educating teen drivers by increasing awareness of the adverse conditions and situations that contribute to teen crashes. Students will receive personal training from Sheriff’s office’s driving instructors both on the driving course and in the classroom.

The classroom portion covers driver responsibilities and liabilities, vehicle dynamics, distracted driving, intoxicating substances, driver’s license laws and restrictions and driving courtesy.

The driving course is hands-on defensive driving experience in a controlled environment with the emphasis on one-on-one instruction conducted in the student’s vehicle that develops safe driving skills.

Requirements include a valid driver’s license (No learner’s permits), a safe vehicle, proof of vehicle insurance and a D.R.I.V.E. registration form and release of liability.

T.E.A.M. is a cooperative effort between the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers and Special Enforcement Bureau in conjunction with Rutherford County Court system. Using a two-prong method consisting of enforcement and education will provide a positive impact in deterring teen alcohol consumption.

The Enforcement Team consists of SEB and SRO’s whose responsibilities will be to enforce laws pertaining to underage purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Additionally, the enforcement team conducts investigations into those businesses that are selling to minors and prosecutes offenders who violate the law.

During the Sheriff’s Office previous underage alcohol intervention efforts, a consistent and valid concern by the merchants was the failure to address attempts by juveniles to purchase alcohol. By incorporating Cops In Shops and Third Party interventions this issue is pursued. Cops In Shops allows the store owner to have an undercover officer posing as an employee to observe the underage consumer commit the purchase of alcohol. During this time surveillance teams will observe from a discreet location in attempt to intervene with Third Party purchasers.

T.E.A.M. is a positive concept that is both proactive and reactive. Deterring sales to minors and educating teens on the dangers and consequences of alcohol consumption. Implementing the T.E.A.M. concept using the twp-pronged method would allow us to work from both ends to meet in the middle with a positive successful outcome.

Operation Integrity is a highly structured intervention program for the Rutherford County youth who are exhibiting behavioral problems at home and/or at school or may be showing signs of drug use or experimentation. This is a performance-based program that emphasizes the values of personal accountability, team achievement and relationships, interpersonal skills, self-esteem, self-confidence, victim restitution, respect and empathy for others, and a positive work ethic. The camp is run one Saturday a month from 6:00am - 6:00pm, with additional follow-up sessions.

Requirements:

• Age requirement: 12-16 years of age

• No prior delinquent offense convictions

• Less than three status convictions

• An intake must be done prior to entering program to ensure appropriate placement

• No prior suicide attempts or suicidal ideation

• Parent/Guardian MUST attend parent component

• $25 non-refundable registration fee

The national leader in children's safety, with headquarters based in South Dennis, Massachussetts. radKIDS® is brought to children and parents by the training and development of nationally certified instructors drawn from their own communities. By empowering a community with certified local instructors, the radKIDS® Personal Empowerment Safety Education package is not just a program but a true gift to the community.

radKIDS® Curriculum topics include:

• Home, School and Vehicle Safety

• Out and About Safety

• Realistic Defense Against Abduction

• Good-Bad-Uncomfortable Touch and more.

• Stranger Tricks (including Physical Defense against Abduction)

• Self-realization of personal power

Learn More about radKIDS

Junior Deputy Camp is a four-day summer camp geared for students entering the 6th grade. Students learn the radKIDS®Personal Empowerment Safety Education Program that teaches decision-making skills and physical resistance options to escape violence. SROs discuss bullying.

Sheriff’s Office detectives teach Internet Safety, investigations and evidence while K-9s demonstrate skills of the bloodhounds to track lost kids. They learn about bicycle safety, tour the Adult Detention Center and hear about the SWAT Team. Firefighters from Rutherford Fire and Rescue talk about fire safety and Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services paramedics discuss first aid.