The Oak Ridge Police Department is now taking applications for the Citizens Police Academy, which will begin on Jan. 23 and run through March 27, 2014.
The Citizens Police Academy allows citizens to gain knowledge of how the Oak Ridge Police Department is organized and learn more about its functions, as well as improve understanding of the challenges in serving and protecting the community, a press release said. It 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 Citizens 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 press release said.
The Citizens Police Academy consists of classroom and hands-on instructional learning experiences, the release said. 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 Citizens 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 it serves.
Those who graduate the Academy are also encouraged to join the Oak Ridge Police Department “Volunteers in Police Service,” which allows members to work at community events, and perform patrol and crowd control functions, administrative duties at headquarters, and many other tasks. More information on the VIPS will be provided during the session.
The Citizens 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 2nd floor amphitheater of the Oak Ridge High School at 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike.
All applications must be submitted to the Oak Ridge Police Department by close of business on Friday, Dec. 20. Applications are available at www.oakridgetn.gov or Oak Ridge Police Records in the Municipal Building at 200 S. Tulane Ave. The class size is limited to 10 to allow for maximum instructor-student interaction.
For more information about the Citizens Police Academy, contact Community Resource Officer Brandan Sharp at (865) 556-6696 or by e-mail at bsharp@oakridgetn.gov.
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