PARKERSBURG - Parkersburg Police Department is accepting applications for its Citizens Police Academy, an educational program designed to give Wood County citizens a look into the inner workings of the police department.
The academy features 10 classes held every Monday, beginning April 9. The classes, held from 6 to 9 p.m., will focus on aspects of police work, such as firearms, narcotics investigations, Tasers and computer crimes. Drinks and snacks will be provided.
"The intended result of the academy is to give our residents a better understanding of what we do and how we do it," said Sgt. Greg Collins, with Parkersburg Police Department. "We hope it also builds ongoing working relationships with the attendees in our mutual fight against crime and disorder."
The last Citizens Police Academy held by Parkersburg police was in 2004, under Chief Gerald Board.
The academy is free and open to the public, but class sizes are limited. The deadline for applications is March 28? All applicants must be at least 18 years old and Wood County residents.
Applicants must submit to a background check and be available to attend all scheduled classes.
"We believe that the more educated the public is about how the police department operates, the more trustworthy and less feared we become," said Collins.
Classes will be instructed by members of the Parkersburg Police Department and include hands-on work. Academy members will have the opportunity to ride with a police officer during a tour of duty.
Classes will run until June 18. There will be no class on May 28 in observance of Memorial Day.
Applications are available at the Parkersburg Police Department, on the third floor of the Municipal Building at 1 Government Square, and at the police substation in City Park.
For more information, call the Parkersburg Police Department at 304-424-8444.
The following is a tentative schedule of the class topics:
- Class 1: Introduction and Orientation/Department Administration
- Class 2: Patrol Operations/Bicycle Unit/School Resource Officers
- Class 3: Criminal Investigations/Juvenile Investigations
- Class 4: Use of Force/Traffic Stops/Taser
- Class 5: DUIs/Prisoner Processing/Chaplain Program
- Class 6: Computer Crimes/Evidence Technician
- Class 7: Narcotics/Canine Unit
- Class 8: Firearms/S.W.A.T.
- Class 9: Driving Simulator
- Class 10: Mock Court Case/Graduation
