On Tuesday evening, the Saline County Sheriff’ s Office, along with the Saline County Coroner, conducted a presentation to the Hot Springs Village (HSV) Police Citizen’s Academy.  This week’s class focused on the Criminal Investigation Division, specifically crime scene investigations.  Twenty seven citizens from Hot Springs Village are attending the 6-week training headed by HSV Police Department Acting Chief Ricky Middleton.

Lieutenant JP Massiet, who has over 32 years of law enforcement experience, furnished the block of instruction.  Lt. Massiet showed actual crime scene photographs and discussed how detectives approach a crime scene, interview witnesses, examine evidence, photograph and sketch a scene and collect evidence. 

To give the citizens hands-on experience, a mock homicide scene was created outside of the Coronado Community Center.  Citizens were given the opportunity to approach the scene, examine the scene and collect evidence.  Coroner Kevin Cleghorn delivered instruction on the role and responsibilities of the Saline County Coroner.     

Sheriff Rodney Wright praised the Hot Spring Village Police Department for engaging with the community and building strong bonds between citizens and law enforcement.  Sheriff Wright also applauded Acting Chief Middleton for working closely with the Saline County Sheriff’s Office and thanked him for allowing Lt. Massiet and Coroner Cleghorn to participate in the Criminal Investigation Division block of instruction.