MPD provides 3-month program to inform public of officers work
The Moscow City Police Department is accepting applications for their 13th annual Citizen’s Police Academy.
Officer Phil Gray of the Moscow City Police Department said the Citizen’s Police Academy is an 11- to 12-week program put on by the police to inform people about what officers do.
Throughout the weeks, participants will learn about the history of law enforcement, use of force, firearms, search and seizure and go through an emergency vehicle course, Gray said.
People from various fields teach lessons. For instance, prosecutors teach the search and seizure lessons.
“We have top-notch instructors, and use local people,” he said. “This makes it a neat program.”
The program fulfills the interest that people have in what police officers do and what kind of training they go through, Gray said. It shows people the seriousness that comes with being a police officer.
“It is a good opportunity for people in this area to go through something like this and see it from the other side,” Gray said. “It is not all fun and games. There is a lot of seriousness, too.”
They try to balance out the light subjects and the serious subjects, switching between them during the weeks.
“It’s a kick,” he said. “Everybody has a good time.”
Gray said any adult can take the course, as long as they pass the background check. Certain misdemeanors and most felonies will make a person unable to participate.
He said last year about half of the participants were college students.
They try to keep the course between 20 to 25 participants, and the program is full every year, Gray said.
Applications for the course can be picked up at the Moscow Police Department. The course runs from Jan. 23 to April 17, 2013.
They meet from 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday, and have two Saturday lessons where participants learn about firearms and emergency vehicle evacuation.
Allison Griffith can be reached at arg-news@uidaho.edu