Do you want to be part of something exciting and fun? Do you want to know what your police department is doing? Have you ever wondered how you could get more involved in the community and police department?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then we want you. The Durango Police Department is proud to offer its 17th session of the Citizens’ Police Academy. Classes will begin at 6:30 p.m. March 13 and will continue every Thursday for 11 weeks. Classes usually end by 9:30 p.m.
So you’re interested, but you want to know more?
The Citizens’ Police Academy is a way for the Durango Police Department to reach out to residents and foster long-lasting relationships that are crucial to our survival. We truly understand that we cannot be as effective without your help.
During the course of this 11-week program, participants who are selected will get to know and understand various aspects of law enforcement and the inner workings of the Durango Police Department.
Many topics will be covered, including information about patrol functions, accident investigations, traffic stops, domestic violence calls and prevention, SWAT team operations and community programs. We will spend some time talking about the history of the department and the vision for the future.
Participants will spend time with hands-on instruction in firearms and arrest control. Firearms classes will be held at the police range, and participants will be allowed to shoot a variety of law-enforcement weapons under the close supervision of a range master.
Students also will be introduced to the SWAT team’s tools and training philosophies. As an option, class members can participate in an unarmed self-defense session, as well.
Instruction is given by a variety of officers throughout the department. These men and women are highly skilled and well-versed in their areas of expertise and instruction. This class will not train you to be a police officer, but it will give you an overall understanding of what it takes to be a police officer.
Probably the most exciting and fun part of the Citizens’ Police Academy is participating in ride-alongs. This gives students the opportunity to be out on patrol with officers from the department and see what they face every day. You get to see the news as it happens instead of reading about it later. Nothing fosters more trust and understanding for an agency than letting its citizens see firsthand how it functions, and we welcome that. You also can sit in at Central Dispatch and see how 911 calls are received and dispatched.
Now that you know more, what are you waiting for? We’re looking for participants from all walks of life throughout the community. The classes fill up fast and class size is limited, so pick up an application today.
Lt. Ray Shupe is assistant operations division commander with the Durango Police Department.
To apply
Applications for the Citizens’ Police Academy are available at the Durango Police Department, 990 East Second Ave., or online at www.durangogov.org/index.aspx?nid=441.
For more information, call Sgt. Dave Peterson at 375-4742.
