The Oak Ridge Police Department is accepting applications for the next Citizens Police Academy, which will begin on Thursday, March 17, and run through May 19.
The Citizens Police Academy allows residents to learn how the Oak Ridge Police Department is organized and how it functions. It also gives an improved understanding of the challenges in serving and protecting the community, a press release said.
“The goal of the Citizens Police Academy is to create 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 academy requires a 10-week commitment from participants, and it will be held one night a week, on Thursdays beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m.
The Citizens Police Academy consists of classroom and hands-on instructional learning experiences. The 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 press release said.
“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 we serve,” the release said.
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 second-floor Library of the Oak Ridge High School, which is 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, which is at 200 South Tulane Avenue, for an application. The class size is limited to 15, to allow for maximum instructor-student interaction. The deadline for all incoming applications will be March 1.
Questions regarding the Citizens Police Academy can be directed to Community Resource Officer Brandan Sharp by phone at (865) 556-6696 or by email at [email protected].
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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