PICAYUNE —
Citizens who have ever wondered what it’s like to be a police officer can participate in one of two programs soon to be offered by the Picayune Police Department.
Chief Jim Luke said the department will offer a Citizens Police Academy and will form a Citizens on Patrol Division.
The Citizens Police Academy will be a way for residents to get a taste what officers undergo as they do their jobs. Luke said he hopes the opportunity will give community members a perspective of the inner workings of the police department and get them involved in elevating the quality of life in the city.
Course work in the academy will involve criminal investigations, narcotics, domestic violence, evidence, community policing, patrol, school resource, Mississippi law, communications, CPR, use of force, crime prevention and seniors and citizens on patrol. Participants will see a K-9 and SWAT demonstration by the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department. Class presentations will be given by the officers who are versed in each topic.
Luke said part of the training will ask participants to determine when an officer should shoot or not shoot.
“That way they know the hard job we have when making split second decisions,” Luke said.
Training will take place for three hours one day a week over nine weeks. Classes will be held Tuesdays, either from 6 to 9 p.m. or 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., said Capt. Chad Dorn. The classes will begin on Aug. 3, and are expected to end Sept. 26.
Applications are being accepted to fill the 25 slots in the class. There is no charge to participate.
“Community involvement is the most powerful force any law enforcement agency has on the fight against crime,” Luke said in a press release.
A separate program will give citizens a chance to directly participate in policing efforts, the Citizens on Patrol Division. Luke said it will be an extension of the department’s successful Senior Patrol.
Citizens on Patrol will be the eyes and ears of the department and could free up time for certified officers to focus on more pressing matters, Luke said. Citizens who become part of Citizens on Patrol could help with traffic direction, local events such as the Street Fair, conduct building checks or respond to non-threatening situations, Deputy Chief David Ervin said. While Citizens on Patrol participants will not have arrest or ticket writing powers, they will have direct contact with certified officers.
Luke said some of the members of Citizens on Patrol volunteers may be trained to help with day-to-day duties at city hall.
The department already has a vehicle for the newly formed division, a car that was donated to the Picayune Police Department by a Florida law enforcement agency after Hurricane Katrina. Paint for the car was donated by Valspar and Todd Douglas with Todd’s Collision Center painted the car, Luke said.
Ervin said while participation in the Citizens Police Academy will qualify participates to apply to the Citizens on Patrol Division it, will not guarantee their acceptance, nor is it a prerequisite. Citizens who do not participate in the academy can still apply to participate in the citizen patrol division. The department will look for responsible applicants who have no criminal record and are 21 years of age or older.
More information about the academy can be found by calling Dorn at 601-798-7411 ext. 112. For more information about Citizens on Patrol call Bob Gieger at 601-799-0447.
Local News
Related Photos
-
CITIZENS PATROL CAR — Citizens in the Picayune area will soon be able to see what it’s like to be a police officer. The Picayune Police Department will offer a Citizens Police Academy and also begin a Citizens on Patrol Division. From left are Chief Jim Luke, Deputy Chief David Ervin and Capt. Chad Dorn standing next to the new Citizens on Patrol car. Jeremy Pittari
Citizens police academy, on patrol
- Local News
-
-
Bar fight ends in man being run over
A bar fight Friday morning resulted in one man being run over by the other with a pickup truck.
The fight was reported to Picayune Police officers Friday morning at about 1:44 at the American Legion Hall on Union School Road, said Capt. Chad Dorn. -
Arson suspected at possible murder site
Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department investigators suspect arson was involved in a structure fire that occurred at a home where James Raine was killed last year.
The home at 24 Emma Lane was the scene of what investigators believe was the murder of the 37-year-old Raine in October, 2011. -
Inmate escapes leaving father’s wake
Johnny Hall Jr., 30, escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody Friday afternoon while attending his father’s wake in Picayune.
-
Inmate escapes from funeral procession
State inmate Johnny Hall, Jr., escaped from two Wilkinson County Correctional Facility officers’ custody today at approximately 12:30 p.m. while being escorted from his father’s wake at the Picayune Funeral Home in Picayune, Miss.
-
REPAIRING GAS LEAK
Contract and city workers were at this gas leak on Beech Street installing a clamp.
-
CAMELLIA SHOW
The Poplarville Garden Club Community Camellia Show is today in the lobby of the Poplarville branch of Hancock Bank.
-
Local gas prices continue a gradual upward trend
From Monday to Thursday, the per gallon price of regular gasoline at RaceTrac jumped six cents, from $3.289 to $3.349. RaceTrac sets the pace in Pearl River County for the lowest posted price, and Wal-Mart and Bill’s Quick Stop at Mississippi Highway 43 and East Canal quickly follow.
-
StennisSphere closing
StennisSphere is closing it’s doors to make way for a new tourist attraction, and to help increase security at John C. Stennis Space Center. According to a press release from Stennis, the tourist attraction officially will close in mid February.
-
ENJOYING THE RAIN
These ducks weren’t phased by Wednesday’s rainy conditions.
-
Picayune featured in “Blondie” comic strip
Occupy Picayune?
All Mr. Dithers wants to see occupied is Dagwood’s desk chair.
That is part of the adventures of Dagwood Bumstead, which includes a mention of the City of Picayune in Friday’s “Blondie” comic strip, which appears in the Picayune Item as a daily feature.
Picayune’s mention in Friday’s strip that also is released in other publications gives Picayune a name recognition boost worldwide, says the artist who draws the feature, Frank Cummings, a former Picayune resident and former employee of the Picayune Item. - More Local News Headlines
-
Bar fight ends in man being run over
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Murder Trial for Ex-U.Va. Lacrosse Player Begins
NY Giants Touch Down Victorious
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
