662-680-6037

Collision Avoidance Training:
Overview
The Collision Avoidance Training (C.A.T.) program is an advanced defensive driving and vehicle control program designed for teenage drivers. The two day program is designed to provide young drivers with the knowledge and understanding of vehicle dynamics and human kinetics -the forces created by an automobile and the effects of the forces on the human body.

Program's Objective
The objective of the program is to enhance the young driver's awareness of the complex task of operating a motor vehicle and to create, and practice skills that will prepare them to anticipate and handle hazards that occur daily in normal driving conditions. This program has been created by professionals in the fields of adolescent behavior, accident reconstruction engineering, substance abuse and law enforcement training. The curriculums were created around the fact that most crashes involving teenage drivers are classified as "avoidable" and, due to lack of experience or training, teens are not prepared to make the vehicle respond appropriately.

The education segment (defensive driving) is designed to give the student a better understanding of the responsibilities and liabilities of the driver, vehicle dynamics, friction and the effects of intoxicating substances on their ability to operate the vehicle. A traffic model is created at the beginning of the program and segments build on each other to a final conclusion, 35 mph is fast. This portion of the program gives the students a better understanding of why the vehicle responds the way it does and prepares them for the exercises on the driving range. The basic principles of safe, defensive driving are emphasized throughout this program.

Skills and Techniques
The purpose of the structure of this program is to give young drivers a strong foundation from which they can continue to develop and improve their driving skills to a consistently high level while maintaining safe driving habits. Due to lack of experience, most teens have little or no idea of how the vehicle responds in a given situation or how to regain control of the car once it is out of control.

Five basic skills, actions and/or techniques of driving are identified as areas that teens need experience or training to safely operate a motor vehicle. Steering, acceleration, deceleration, backing and skid control/skid recovery are the tasks addressed in this program. Training exercises used in this program have been adopted from the law enforcement training manual and approved by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. Student drivers must master the following exercises:

  1. Evasive maneuvers
  2. Threshold/emergency braking
  3. Forward serpentine Cornering
  4. Backing
  5. Skid recovery

All classes are conducted under the direct supervision of certified high liability driving instructors. Instructors ride with each student and students move to the next exercise only after the instructor feels the student has demonstrated a reasonable degree of skill. C.A.T. students receive the same behind-the-wheel training as police officers.

:  The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program has been taught in the Lee County Schools since 1994.  This NEW 10-week curriculum is taught by certified, uniformed officers who go into the classes each week to the 5/6th grade.  D.A.R.E. is taught to Verona/Plantersville 5th graders, Guntown 6th graders, Shannon 5th graders, Mooreville 6th graders, Nettleton 5th graders and Baldwyn 5th graders.  D.A.R.E. is not just a "say no" curriculum.  D.A.R.E. teaches many important lessons needed in everyday life such as stressing decision making skills, making healthy decisions regarding alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs.  The new D.A.R.E. curriculum encourages higher thinking skills, teamwork and good decision making skills.

D.A.R.E. lessons plan focus on four major areas:

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Providing accurate information about drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

bulletTeaching students good decision-making skills.
bulletShowing students how to recognize and resist peer pressure.
bulletGiving students ideas for positive alternatives to drug use.

D.A.R.E officers work with children to raise their self-esteem, show them how to make good decisions on their own, and help them identify positive alternatives to drugs. The D.A.R.E., curriculum emphasizes the negative consequences of drug use, and reinforces the skills to resist peer pressure and intimidation.

Our officers also make visits to K-4th grades each year to meet the students and teach mini-lessons.

                   

G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance And Training) Program:  The G.R.E.A.T. curriculum is a skills-based curriculum designed to produce knowledge and attitudinal and behavioral changes through the use of facilitative teaching, positive behavior rehearsal, cooperative and interactive learning techniques, and extended teacher activities. The goal is to prevent youth crime, violence, and gang involvement while developing a positive relationship among law enforcement, families, and our young people to create safer communities. Through a generous grant from the US Department of Justice, we are able to provide the G.R.E.A.T. Program, extracurricular events, activities and summer camps for students.

Lesson Topic Lesson Content
1. Welcome to G.R.E.A.T.
bullet Program Introduction
bullet The Relationship between Gangs, Violence, Drug Abuse, and Crime
2. What's the Real Deal?
bullet Message Analysis
bullet Facts and Fiction about Gangs and Violence
3. It's About Us
bullet Community
bullet Student Roles and Responsibilities
bullet What You Can Do About Gangs
4. Where Do We Go From Here?
bullet Setting Realistic and Achievable Goals
5. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
bullet G.R.E.A.T. Decision-Making Model
bullet The Impact of Decisions on Goals
bullet Decision-Making Practice
6. Do You Hear What I'm Saying?
bullet Effective Communication
bullet Verbal vs. Non-Verbal Communication
7. Walk in Someone Else's Shoes
bullet Active Listening
bullet Identification of Different Emotional States
bullet Empathy for Others
8. Say It Like You Mean It
bullet Body Language
bullet Tone of Voice
bullet Refusal Skills Practice
9. Getting Along Without Going Along
bullet Influences
bullet Peer Pressure
bullet Refusal Skills Practice
10. Keeping Your Cool
bullet G.R.E.A.T. Anger Management Tips
bullet Practice Cooling Off
11. Keeping It Together
bullet Recognizing Anger in Others
bullet Tips for Calming Others
12. Working It Out
bullet Consequences of Fighting
bullet G.R.E.A.T. Tips for Conflict Resolution
bullet Conflict Resolution Practice
bullet Where To Go for Help
13. Looking Back
bullet Program Review
bullet "Making My School G.R.E.A.T." Project Presentations

A G.R.E.A.T. Summer Camp is held each year for Lee County students entering grades 3 - 5.  This summer camp is a big hit with the young people and allows the officers to do special activities with the kids that they normally would not be able to do during the school year.  Such activities are crafts, projects, day trips, awards, prizes and classes in drug education, violence and bullying prevention. 

Junior Deputy Academy: The JDA began in 2004.  The Lee County Sheriff's Dept. offers a training program for young adults who are interested in pursuing a law enforcement career. This Academy lasts for two weeks and focuses in all aspects/areas of law enforcement and the court systems. There is physical training each day, along with hands-on activities and instruction. This program is open to all Lee County youth who range in age from 15 - 18 and must have a positive standing in their school and community.

Miscellaneous:  This Unit also fingerprints young children for schools, daycares, nurseries and Head Starts; gives talks to boy/girl scouts, church groups, youth groups and other groups in the community; and also participates in community days, fall festivals, spring flings and other community events.

To contact this division:

Lt. Sheri Hall or Deputy Michelle Wells

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EMAIL

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Phone 662-680-6037