Citizens Police Academy Enrolling Now

Cary, NC – Ever want to get behind the scenes at the Cary Police Department? The Town of Cary offers a free program called the Citizens Police Academy and it’s accepting enrollment now through August 10, 2011.

Investigations, Ride-Alongs and a Trip to the Firing Range

In keeping with the CPD policy of adopting innovative ways of connecting with the community, Cary became the first town in Wake County to implement a Citizens Police Academy. From the Town website:

The Citizens Police Academy offers members of the community a unique opportunity to become familiar with the operations of the department. During this 12-week course, which meets one evening a week, citizens will talk with representatives of each unit and division in the department, including patrol operations, communications, traffic operations, criminal investigations, youth services, animal control and records. The recruitment and selection process for new officers, accreditation, and crime prevention topics will also be addressed.

In addition to classroom instruction, participants will have the opportunity to ride along with a patrol officer and to observe a live fire exercise with the department’s Emergency Response Team (ERT). A member of the traffic team will explain how officers evaluate people suspected of driving while impaired.

The purpose of the course is not to turn citizens into police officers and the town website hastens to add that participants will have no police powers. But it is a chance to see things at the CPD up close and personal.

Program Details

The program is open to all residents of Cary. Classes meet Wednesday nights from 6-9 p.m. August 17-November 2, 2011. Registration is limited; no minors, please.

All applicants will undergo a criminal background check.

The class is a prerequisite for citizens interested in becoming members of the Citizens Assisting Police (CAP) team.

Enrollment

Enrollment forms are available in the Town of Cary Police Department and must be returned by August 10, 2011.

For more information or an application, contact the academy coordinator Officer Kenric Alexander at (919) 380-4218 or e-mail kenric.alexander@townofcary.org.