The Oak Ridge Police Department will be accepting applications for the Citizen’s Police Academy, which will begin on January 15, 2015, and run through March 19, 2015.
The Citizen’s Police Academy allows citizens to learn about how the Oak Ridge Police Department is organized and how it functions, a press release said. It also provides an improved understanding of the challenges in serving and protecting the community, the release said.
The academy requires a 10-week commitment from the participants and will be held one night a week on Thursdays beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m.
“The goal of the Citizen’s Police Academy is to create and develop a nucleus of responsible and well-informed citizens who have an enhanced understanding of the Police Department and how it serves the City of Oak Ridge,” the release said.
The Citizen’s Police Academy consists of classroom and hands-on instructional learning experiences. Subjects covered include: law review, the job of a uniformed police officer, investigations, crime scene investigations, crime prevention, canine program, tactical operations, crime analysis, and much more. Participants will be involved in activities such as touring the communications facilities and police department, using police equipment, canine demonstration, and firing department service weapons.
Graduates of the Citizen’s Police Academy may be called upon to provide input and information to their neighborhoods or work environments, increasing citizen involvement on issues of mutual concern. The program improves the commitment of the Oak Ridge Police Department to partner with citizens to build lasting and productive partnerships between the Oak Ridge Police Department and the community they serve.
The Citizen’s Police Academy is free of charge. Each applicant must fill out an application and undergo a criminal background investigation prior to approval and admission. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and preference will be given to those who live or work in the City of Oak Ridge.
The instructional course will be held in the second-floor amphitheater of the Oak Ridge High School at 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike.
Anyone wishing to apply for the Citizen’s Police Academy may do so by visiting www.OakRidgeTN.gov or stopping by Police Records at the Municipal Building at 200 South Tulane Avenue for an application. Class size is limited to 15 to allow for maximum instructor-student interaction.
Questions regarding the Citizen’s Police Academy can be directed to Community Resource Officer Brandan Sharp at (865) 556-6696 or bsharp@OakRidgeTN.gov.
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