Citizen's Police Academy

Are you looking for a way to get involved in the community that is both fun and informative. Check with your local police department to see if they offer a police academy for citizens.

Last year I went through a 12 week course at the Killeen Police Department called the CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY. The course included weekly presentations by officers, detectives, and supervisors on topics ranging from Criminal Investigation, Gangs, Organized Crime, Police DoTraffic, Gangs, Illegal Drugs, and the list goes on. It's amazing how much there is about the police department that we, as citizens, are not aware of. Included in the class is a Saturday visit to the firing range with the SWAT team and at least one ride along with an officer for a shift. While at the range, we got to see the police dogs do their work, see the SWAT team breach a door, fire an automatic assault weapon, learn about hostage negotiations and had a cook out.

After the 12 week course, we were given a very nice graduation ceremony by the city and became a part of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. As Alumni, we can volunteer at the police station, helping out where needed.

I would recommend this type of program for anyone. It was fun, informative, exciting, and all in all an eye opening experience. I will say that the city of Killeen, Texas is very supportive of the program and of educating their citizens. They were very open and it seemed no topic was off limits.

Part of being a citizen in a community is to be involved in that community and this is one way of doing just that.

Richard W. Overall, Jr, REALTOR

www.OverallRealtor.com