Citizen’s Police Academy to be held in May
Published 11:12 am Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Citizen’s Academy: The Picayune Police Department is gearing up for the 2014 Citizen’s Police Academy. They will begin issuing applications on Wednesday at the Criminal Justice Center. From left are Picayune Police Chief Bryan Dawsey, Capt. James Bolton, Lt. Daniel Davis and Capt. Jeremy Magri.
Jodi Marze | Picayune Item
The Picayune Police Department has announced that applications for a Citizen’s Police Academy will be available on Wednesday, at the Criminal Justice Center.
The class is limited to 25 applicants and will cover such topics such as patrol functions, investigations, community policing, and other aspects of law enforcement.
Chief Bryan Dawsey said selected applicants would attend a two-hour class, one night a week for eight weeks at the Intermodal Transportation and Tourism Center. The classes will begin on May 13, and continue through July 1.
“The classes will be taught by different officers on the force,” Dawsey said. “The academy instruction will allow the community insight into the workings of the police department— why and how we do what we do. They will also learn the many ways in which we serve the community.”
The department is hoping for a variety of applicants, Dawsey said. The department encourages business owners, parents, civic leaders, Neighborhood Watch members and college students aged 21 and older to apply.
“We will be addressing things such as what to look for when you notice a suspicious situation and potential questions dispatch might ask when someone calls in.”
Dawsey said that the department recognizes the importance of their partnership with the community to ensure Picayune is a safe place to live.
“Community outreach programs like the academy allows both community members and police personnel to get to know each other on a more personal level,” Dawsey said.
He hopes that programs like this, the department can spark enthusiasm needed to achieve community involvement and the development of solutions geared toward the betterment of Picayune.
“We believe that informed citizens enhance public safety, make informed decisions about how to protect themselves and their businesses, understand law enforcement strategies in problem solving and grasp the importance of the community-law enforcement partnership.”
The deadline to return applications is May 2.
Graduates of the academy will receive a certificate of completion.
