I’m in a Citizen Police Academy

By Janet Dodrill

Last month I started my first of ten classes in my city’s Citizen Police Academy. After three sessions, I am honored to be involved, and amazed at the dedication and hard work displayed and performed by this law enforcement agency and its people.

The intent of the course is to give citizens (residents or people working in the city), a better understanding of what police officers encounter in a given day, and to improve communication and relations between the police department and individuals within the community.

Topics covered include laws of arrest and booking procedures, the court system, S.W.A.T., canine patrol, evidence collection, traffic stops, dispatcher communications, use of force, mock crime scene, and many other topics. Sessions are conducted with lectures, demonstrations, videos, and hands-on participation. Each participant also schedules a four-hour ride-along in a patrol car. Completion of the class earns certification.

The presenting officers has been consistently professional and vastly knowledgeable in their topics, while also revealing their warm and personable sides. I can now appreciate more the camaraderie among the hard-working staff within the department, and fully respect their commitment and courage performed on a daily basis. [Thank you.]