Benicia Police Accepting Application for Citizens Academy

The Benicia Police Department has scheduled its 4th Citizen’s Police Academy for April 4th – May 30th, 2013. The focus of this nine-week academy is to educate citizens about the Benicia Police Department, including: organizational structure, core values, operational methods and role within the community. Participants will gain an understanding of police department responsibilities and the laws that govern police activity. Through open dialog, academy participants have the opportunity to share their experiences and offer ideas to enhance community partnerships. The goal of the academy is to strengthen the mutually beneficial partnership between citizens and the Benicia Police Department.

Academy sessions are taught by members of the police department and include hands on instructional methods in Patrol Procedures, Criminal Law, Narcotics, Crime Scene Investigations, Traffic Enforcement, Use of Force and Police Dispatch. SWAT Team and K-9 unit members will provide demonstrations of their tactics and equipment. Additionally, there will be two Saturday sessions (8:00am – 4:00pm), one designed to allow students to learn about firearms safety at the Benicia PD Range, and another dedicated to scenario training in which the students will apply what they have learned throughout the academy. Certificates of achievement will be awarded upon completion of the academy.

There is no cost to attend the Citizen Academy and it is open to all residents 18 and older. Classes are held Thursday evenings, 6:30pm-9:30pm at the Benicia Police Department.

“The Citizen’s Academy is a great resource for community members as it gives them an opportunity to learn about how their police department operates on a daily basis” said Lt. Frank Hartig.

Applicants must have a clean criminal history and background checks are done on all applicants. Accepted applicants are required to attend every scheduled class as space is limited to (20) students. Applications for the Citizen Academy are available on the Benicia Police Department’s website http://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/police

For additional information, please contact Lt. Frank Hartig at fhartig@ci.benicia.ca.us or by calling 746-4259.