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Coconino County marks first CJCC Citizens Academy with 27 graduates
Summary
The Coconino County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council graduated 27 participants from its inaugural Citizens Academy, which county officials say will increase transparency and public trust by giving residents a behind‑the‑scenes look at local courts, law enforcement and treatment programs.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors opened its March 17 meeting with a special ceremony recognizing the first class of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) Citizens Academy.
“The Citizens Academy is designed to open the doors of our justice system to the communities that we serve,” said Judge Ted Reed, presiding judge of the Coconino County Superior Court and chair of the CJCC. Reed told the board the program was intended to educate residents about how cases move through the system and to strengthen public trust through transparency.
CJCC staff and volunteer faculty walked participants through court structure, the roles of prosecution and defense, victim services, treatment courts and alternatives to incarceration, county presenters said. Josh Hammond, who led the program overview, told the board the four‑week series ran one night a week for two hours and will likely expand after strong participant engagement.
“We had 27 graduates that we can celebrate today,” Reed said. A graduate, Raya Mejia, described the program as eye‑opening: “I was thrilled to learn about so many aspects of the criminal justice system that I did not know existed,” she said, and added that attendees left ready to apply the knowledge in local volunteer roles.
CJCC director Diana and other leaders said feedback from participants will inform future community programming; staff noted alumni could assist with court‑adjacent boards and CASA volunteer recruitment. The board praised the program and indicated plans to continue the Citizens Academy annually.
The board moved next to regular business; staff and CJCC members planned a small reception and photo opportunity after the meeting.
