ThisWeek UA 06/15/2011
The Upper Arlington Police Division is rounding up a new posse for the 2011 Citizen Police Academy.
Residents and Upper Arlington business leaders are invited to apply for one of the 12 spots available. The 10 weekly academy classes are held on Thursday evenings, Sept.15 through Nov. 17.
“Our goal for the academy is to build a strong relationship with community members by giving them a fun and interesting, hands-on, behind-the-scenes view of our police officers’ work,” said Heather Galli, Upper Arlington Police Division community relations officer.
According to the application, the lessons include crime scene investigations, crime prevention tips, defensive tactics, firearms and safety training, patrol tactics, and ride-alongs with officers.
The program is not strictly informational, Galli said. After completion of the course, participants are given the opportunity to join the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Group, which provides volunteer opportunities to members.
“After the first class graduated (in 2006), several members wanted to come up with a way to give back to the division, so the alumni group formed,” said Mark Shutt, academy graduate and alumni group member. “We’ve been able to help out with things like traffic control at the 4th of July Parade and working information booths at city events. This frees up officers to focus on safety services and expands on services the department can provide that there isn’t normally manpower for.”
In recent years the alumni group raised funds for a child ID kit. The alumni volunteer their time taking the kit to daycare and other child-oriented businesses and events, according to Shutt, where community members can have ID’s created for their children.
“The biggest thing for (the division) to come out of this is the outreach that alumni provide for us,” Galli said. “After the course they are prepared to talk to their neighbors and friends about crime prevention. Community education is very important to the division beyond just providing safety services, so expanding on that through these volunteers is great. That’s why I’m so passionate about this program.”
Shutt said that he got more out of the course than he expected.
“I definitely got what I expected out of this course and more,” Shutt said. “The officers did a great job with the classes. They were excellent at citing textbook info as well as knowing the technical, hands-on stuff. The ride-along was great and I’ve had a chance to do several more since the class.”
Applicants are required to undergo a background check, according to Galli, and the screening process is designed to provide a diverse mix of backgrounds.
The Citizen Police Academy is free to participants. Applications are due by Friday, Aug. 19. For more information, call the police division at 583-5159 or download the application at www.uaoh.net.