NH - A crash course in police work will be offered at no charge during the second annual Citizens Police Academy, sponsored by Crime Stoppers and hosted by the city's police department.
"Everyone wants to know what police officers do," said detective Tom Grella, who serves as the department's juvenile prosecutor and Crime Stoppers police coordinator. "Often the public's only contact with police officers is when they need them."
Proof is found in the agenda which shows most classes offering a combination of classroom study, demonstrations of police gear and operations, and a tour of a law enforcement facility. Participants will tour the Portsmouth, Newington, Greenland, Rye and New Castle police departments, visit the Rockingham County House of Corrections, Coast Guard headquarters and meet with District Court Judge Sawako Gardner. They'll also see demonstrations of Breathalyzers, Tazers, radar and the city's police dogs, bicycles and motorcycles.
Grella said participants in last year's Citizen's Academy included college students, business people, a bartender, senior citizens and family members of city police employees.
Grella: "This can help make their own communities crime free. They can learn from us, and us from them."
The 8-week academy includes sessions on March 18, 25, April 1, 15, 22, 29 and May 6. Participants are expected to attend two hours in a court as observers and four hours of ride along with an officer.
A graduation ceremony is May 6 and certificates of completion are awarded.
For more information, call Grella at 610-7429
"Everyone wants to know what police officers do," said detective Tom Grella, who serves as the department's juvenile prosecutor and Crime Stoppers police coordinator. "Often the public's only contact with police officers is when they need them."
Proof is found in the agenda which shows most classes offering a combination of classroom study, demonstrations of police gear and operations, and a tour of a law enforcement facility. Participants will tour the Portsmouth, Newington, Greenland, Rye and New Castle police departments, visit the Rockingham County House of Corrections, Coast Guard headquarters and meet with District Court Judge Sawako Gardner. They'll also see demonstrations of Breathalyzers, Tazers, radar and the city's police dogs, bicycles and motorcycles.
Grella said participants in last year's Citizen's Academy included college students, business people, a bartender, senior citizens and family members of city police employees.
Grella: "This can help make their own communities crime free. They can learn from us, and us from them."
The 8-week academy includes sessions on March 18, 25, April 1, 15, 22, 29 and May 6. Participants are expected to attend two hours in a court as observers and four hours of ride along with an officer.
A graduation ceremony is May 6 and certificates of completion are awarded.
For more information, call Grella at 610-7429
E-mail inquires to Citizenspoliceacademy@pd.cityofportsmouth.com
This is a great idea. People do want to see what the police do --and the police need to hear from the people as well.
ReplyDeleteWorking together starts with communication.