08/24/2026
Changes to Public Affairs and Community Outreach Services
I am extremely disappointed to announce the cancellation of this year's Collin County Sheriff's Office Citizens Academy, which was scheduled to begin this week.
Last week, during the FY2027 Budget Workshop, the Collin County Commissioners Court voted to eliminate Sgt. Jessica Pond's position. Sgt. Pond serves as the Sheriff's Office's Public Information/Public Affairs Sergeant and plays a critical role in overseeing Public Information, Public Affairs, community engagement, crime prevention, public education, and the coordination of community events and presentations.
I have sought clarification from Commissioners Court regarding the operational impact of this personnel reduction, including how my office is expected to handle public information and media requests and continue providing important community-facing services. At this time, I have not received a response.
Because Citizens Academy Class 30 is scheduled to run from August through November, and the position responsible for coordinating and administering the program will be eliminated effective October 1, I do not believe it would be responsible to begin a new Academy without knowing how the program would be supported through its completion.
The Citizens Academy has been a longstanding and valued tradition of the Collin County Sheriff's Office, and we are extremely proud of the program. Our supervisors and employees take great pride in sharing their expertise through detailed, hands-on presentations that give participants a firsthand understanding of our operations and the services we provide.
The Academy provides citizens with an opportunity to better understand the work of the Sheriff's Office, meet the men and women who serve their community, ask questions, and gain insight into the many different functions of our agency.
It is deeply disappointing to cancel a program that has meant so much to our Office and to reduce community engagement services that have built relationships throughout Collin County for many years. I sincerely hope we will be able to restore this important tradition in the future.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sheriff Jim Skinner
Collin County Sheriff's Office
https://www.collincountytx.gov/details?news=17c7b4f5-7bd3-4157-8b89-b7640e467c04&title=Changes-to-Public-Affairs-and-Community-Outreach-Services