CCSO’s Junior Sheriffs Team For a Day

The Sheriff (or Command Staff) for a Day program provides one selected 5th-grade student from each participating school with an opportunity to experience the responsibilities of a sheriff, command staff member, and law enforcement professional. The program combines leadership, public service, teamwork, and hands-on activities in a fun, age-appropriate environment.

The goal is to help students understand how the Sheriff's Office serves the community while building positive relationships between students, schools, and law enforcement.

Program Modules

1. Welcome & Swearing-In Ceremony

• Location: Culpeper County Sheriff's Office

• Start: Formal welcome from Sheriff Timothy W. Chilton and command staff.

• Activities:

  • Welcome and introduction of each student.

  • Student receives an honorary title: Sheriff for a Day or Command Staff Member for a Day.

  • Oath of service and leadership.

  • Presentation of a certificate, name badge, or commemorative challenge coin.

  • Group photograph with the sheriff and command staff.

• Creative Idea: Give each student a personalized folder containing their schedule, mission assignments, and a leadership worksheet.

2. Ride Along with the Sheriff or Command Staff

Allows students to experience the daily responsibilities of command staff through a supervised, non-enforcement ride-along or vehicle tour.

• Activities:

  • Tour of the command vehicle or patrol vehicle.

  • Learn about radio communications and dispatch.

  • Discuss how deputies respond to calls for service.

  • Observe a designated community location or school.

  • Learn how the sheriff makes decisions to support public safety.

• Safety Consideration: The student experience should be conducted under established agency policies, with appropriate supervision and no exposure to active or hazardous incidents.

3. Command Staff Briefing

Gives students an opportunity to sit in on a simplified command staff briefing.

• Topics:

  • How the Sheriff's Office is organized.

  • What the patrol, investigations, and special operations divisions do.

  • Why teamwork and communication matter.

  • How law enforcement agencies prepare for community events.

  • The importance of treating every community member with respect.

• Student Activity ("Make a Decision"): Present a fictional, age-appropriate scenario: "The Sheriff's Office is preparing for a large community festival. What are three things we should do to help keep everyone safe?" Students work together to identify solutions, such as communication, traffic safety, and helping lost children.

4. Special Operations Experience

Introduces students to the various units within the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office:

• K-9 Unit: K-9 obedience demonstration, learn about daily care and training, handler Q&A session.

• SWAT Team: Learn about teamwork and specialized equipment, discuss preparation and safety, demonstration of approved equipment.

• Traffic Unit: Explore traffic safety, learn about accident reconstruction, tour traffic enforcement equipment.

• Additional Stops: Could include Crime Prevention, Community Trust Partners, Communications/Dispatch, and the Crime Analyst function. Each unit provides a short demonstration or interactive presentation.

5. Student Leadership Challenge

Practical leadership assignment: "Protect Our Community" (fictional community safety project).

• Possible Assignments:

  • Design a safe school arrival and dismissal plan.

  • Create a plan to help a lost child find a trusted adult.

  • Develop a campaign encouraging bicycle and pedestrian safety.

  • Plan a community event that includes safety, inclusion, and teamwork.

• Learning Objectives: Problem-solving, communication, listening to others, leadership and responsibility, and understanding public service.

• Conclusion: Each group presents its solution to command staff.

6. Dispatch & Communications Center Visit

Teaches students that public safety begins with effective communication.

• Activities:

  • Tour the Communications Center (subject to operational and security restrictions).

  • Learn the difference between emergency and non-emergency calls.

  • Discuss what information dispatchers need during an emergency.

  • Participate in a simulated, non-live dispatch exercise.

  • Learn the importance of remaining calm and speaking clearly.

• Interactive Activity: Fictional scenario where students identify information a dispatcher needs to send assistance.

7. Lunch with the Sheriff & Command Staff

A relaxed lunch with the sheriff, command staff, and participating students.

• Discussion Topics: What a sheriff does every day, key leadership traits, helping the community, law enforcement careers, and becoming community leaders.

• Creative Idea: Have each student ask one question to the sheriff and one question to a member of command staff.

8. "You Are the Sheriff" Decision-Making Exercise

Gives students an opportunity to think like a sheriff.

• Scenario: Planning a community safety day with limited resources and several activities needing assistance.

• Prioritization Priorities: 1. Public safety, 2. Staffing and resources, 3. Communication with the community, 4. Cooperation with other agencies, 5. Ensuring everyone is treated fairly and respectfully.

• Goal: Students explain their decisions to the sheriff, learning that leadership involves listening, evaluating information, and considering community needs.

9. Behind-the-Scenes Tour

Depending on security restrictions and agency approval, potential stops include:

• Sheriff's Office lobby and administrative area

• Training room

• Patrol vehicle area

• Crime Prevention displays

10. Community Service Project

A collaborative activity reinforcing that leadership is about serving others:

• Debrief the Project Life Saver event (student feedback on response and outcome).

• Develop a poster about emergency preparedness.

11. Graduation & Recognition Ceremony

Formal recognition ceremony where each student receives:

• Certificate of Participation

• Honorary Sheriff or Command Staff for a Day certificate

• Group photograph

• Commemorative item approved by the Sheriff's Office

• A leadership pledge or personal commitment card

• Closing Message: "Leadership is not about being the person in charge. Leadership is about helping others, making responsible decisions, and serving your community."