SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Police Department held their 23rd Citizen’s Police Academy Graduation at the Southwick Town Hall on Tuesday night. A total of 16 people graduated from the program ranging in ages of 20 to 90-years-old.
The Citizens Police Academy is an eight-week program that gives the community a first-hand experience of what it’s like to be a police officer on a daily basis.
The classes that people go through include patrol procedures, drug identification, criminal law and crime scene investigations. Towards the end of the program, citizens will experience what many past individuals and police officers believe is one of the most beneficial aspects to the academy; the “You’re the cop” scenario. In this exercise, people will act as a police officer who is conducting a traffic stop and encounter an individual in their car.
Participants of the 23rd Citizens Police Academy pose for a photo prior to their graduation on Tuesday night. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
In order to join the academy, you have to be at least 18 years old. If you’re 17 and a senior in high school, you have to be accompanied by a parent or adult.
A program that started in 2001, the Southwick Citizens Police Academy existed until 2008 but after Chief David Ricardi became Chief in 2013, he resurrected the program. Sgt. Kirk Sanders has been running the program for more than 12 years.
Starting off the 23rd graduation, Sanders made an opening greeting, followed by Select Board member Russ Fox and Chief David Ricardi. Praising Sanders and calling him the “glue to the program,” Ricardi is confident that the 16 graduates are now more aware of what a police officer goes through on a daily basis.
“I’m sure now you have a better understanding of what we do,” said Ricardi. “We’re not afraid to let you know about what we do.”
A number of people in the class spoke about their experience. Matt Egerton was fond of the ride-a-long experience he had with a Southwick Police officer.
“The ride-a-long was great, I learned a lot about how the radar units are used,” said Egerton.
Prior to the class, Rick Stacy wasn’t quite certain about what a Southwick Police officer goes through, but he now sees it more clearly.
Chief David Ricardi thanks the crowd for their applause with a plaque in his hand. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
“I had perceptions based on Hollywood, tv shows, and so on,” said Stacy. “I did walk away with a deep appreciation and respect of the police officers in our department.”
Sue Fox, who was a student in the first ever Citizens Police Academy, wanted to become a participant a second time.
“The past eight weeks has shown me how much this class has evolved,” said Fox.
Sgt. Sanders was unsure how successful this particular Citizens Police Academy would be.
“This year was tough for me because my wife had passed away and we got a late start and I didn’t think I was going to be able to do it but we had people that signed up,” said Sanders.
Sanders’ wife, Susan, passed away in February. Susan was a volunteer for the Citizens Police Academy for all of the years Sanders has organized it and played a vital role in the program.
“It’s made a difference in my career, it’s made a difference for my family,” said Ricardi. “My wife was a big proponent of it.”
Before the graduation was over, Sanders took a few minutes to recognize Chief David Ricardi for his years of service with the Southwick Police Department and five years serving as Chief of Police. Sanders presented Ricardi with a plaque, which was followed by a standing ovation from those in attendance. Ricardi is set to retire on June 30.
