To the editor:

I am writing regarding the Suffolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office’s recent Citizens Academy. The office provided the free six-week academy for Suffolk citizens on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Sept. 25 to Oct. 30. The Citizens Academy was very successful, graduating a total of 30 citizens.

The Citizens Academy taught participants about the mission, policies and day-to-day operations of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. The curriculum was designed to educate the citizens on criminal law and decisions made by prosecutors in that office. The academy built a deeper understanding of this office and encouraged an open line of communication and cooperation between the citizens and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office and to make participants more aware of the realities of criminal cases.

In addition, The Citizens Academy was enriched by strong partnerships that resulted in presentations by Suffolk’s other four constitutional officers: Circuit Court Clerk W. Randolph Carter, Sheriff Raleigh H. Isaacs Sr. and his staff, Commissioner of the Revenue Susan L. Draper and Suffolk City Treasurer Ronald H. Williams.

I would like to thank all of these constitutional officers and the staff of the Sheriff’s office for their support during the Citizens Academy.

Also, I would like to thank Joan Turner, our community outreach coordinator, for her dedication and outstanding work in organizing, implementing and presenting at this academy.

In addition, I would like to thank the following employees who also presented to participants: Karen H. Williams, chief administrative manager; Diane Bryant, victim witness director; Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorneys Will H. Jamerson, Matthew A. Glassman, and James E. Wiser; Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys Marilyn A. Sallee and T. Marie Walls; Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Heather Emmert; and chief investigator Neil M. Boone.

Finally, I would like to thank Ricky and Roy’s Catering, Subway, and Wal-Mart for their donations for the graduation reception. Our community is indeed fortunate to have such willing, charitable business partners.

We expect to continue having this FREE Citizens Academy annually in September and October and would encourage the citizens of Suffolk to enroll by contacting Joan Turner at 514-4379 or jturner@suffolkva.us.

C. Phillips Ferguson

Suffolk Commonwealth’s Attorney