Then sign up for the fall Citizens Police Academy.

ST. PETERSBURG – The Citizens’ Police Academy provides citizens and business owners or managers with a better understanding of the St. Petersburg Police Department. The academy consists of eight (8) weeks of instruction. Classes meet 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at the St. Petersburg Police Department’s Training Building, 1301 1st Ave N. Attending the academy will not certify you to work as a police officer, but it will give you insight into police work and you’ll have fun along the way. The academy is free.

The St. Petersburg Police Department has found that education has been most effective in gaining understanding and support from the community. The Citizen’s Police Academy offers citizens insights into how police officers perform their duties and how the department serves the community. The purpose of the Citizen’s Police Academy is to foster better communication between citizens and police through education. The academy creates a nucleus of well-informed citizens who possess greater insight into police practices and services.

The academy consists of an eight-week class which meets once a week. Each class consists of a three-hour block of instruction. This instruction is comprehensive, covering a different area of the police department each week. Certified police officers, supervisors, and civilian instructors, with particular expertise, will conduct each topic.

Curriculum:

• Child Abduction/ Internet Safety
• Tactical Apprehension and Control Team
• Homicide Investigations
• Traffic Enforcement (DUI)
• Crime Scene Processing/Forensics
• Communications
• K-9
• Use of Force / Firearm Simulation

A vital part of the Academy is participation in a variety of “hands-on” learning experiences. Students will also have the option, on a voluntary basis, to ride along with a patrol officer during his/her shift, or sit with a communication center dispatcher.

Any interested citizen, 18 years or older, who lives or works in the city of St. Petersburg is encouraged to attend. Citizens involved with the community in some way, such as youth involvement, neighborhood watch, and neighborhood groups are very important to the academy.

NOTE: Due to the sensitive nature of some of the topics, applicants will be subjected to a limited background check to determine their suitability. The check will be limited to criminal history and warrant information. The information will not be used for any other purposes nor shared with any other persons or entity.

For an application or more information, go to police.stpete.org., or call (727) 893-7128 or pick one up at the St. Petersburg Police Department Community Awareness Division,
1300 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg.

St. Pete | St. Petersburg Police | Citizens Police Academy | TB Reporter

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