JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Police Department will conduct a Citizens Police Academy beginning Tuesday, March 15.
This will be an eight-week academy designed to inform citizens on different aspects of law enforcement, including community policing, criminal investigations, patrol duties, use of force, firearms, K-9 duties, SRT demonstration, narcotics and less-lethal weapons. This course will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesdays.
The course is free, and all who want to gain an active knowledge of their police department are encouraged to attend. Attendance will be limited.
The goal of the Citizens Police Academy is that educated citizens will be more supportive of police officers and that the department will be more productive within its own neighborhoods and communities.
The Citizens Police Academy is not a “training” class but an “information” class, a behind-the-scenes look at the Jacksonville Police Department.
The mission of the Jacksonville Citizens Police Academy is to increase public awareness and confidence, improve community relations and create a better understanding between the citizens and the Jacksonville Police Department through education.
The Citizens Police Academy is limited to those who live or work inside the city limits of Jacksonville, are over the age of 18, pass a background investigation, have no felony convictions and have had no misdemeanor convictions for at least one year.
The instructors of the Citizens Police Academy will be officers from the Jacksonville Police Department.
The instructors will speak on their area of expertise.
The Citizens Police Academy is coordinated through the training section of the Jacksonville Police Department.
Those interested in attending the Citizens Police Academy should complete an application. Applications are available at the Jacksonville Police Department, 1412 W. Main, Jacksonville, AR 72076 or online at www.cityofjacksonville.net.
All applications must be received by Tuesday, March 8.
For more information, contact Sgt. John Williams at (501) 982-3191 or at jwilliams@cityofjacksonville.net.