SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Police Department is set to host their 23rd Citizens Police Academy. The next class begins on April 10 and is an eight-week program that allows citizens to have a first-hand experience of what a police officer goes through on a daily basis.
Held at the Southwick Town Hall, the classes will take place at 7 p.m. and go until 9:30 p.m. The first week will consist of an introduction to the course, and then history and a tour of the police department. The second week will focus on the use of force and handcuffing. On Saturday, April 21, participants will shoot at the Agawam Revolver’s Club, followed by lunch and then a visit to the Southwick K-9 program.
During the Citizens Police Academy, Southwick Police officers will show citizens how to properly fire a gun at the shooting range. (WNG File Photo)
The following weeks will 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.
“This whole process is to show them that a simple stop about a headlight could be something else,” said Sgt. Kirk Sanders. “It shows them that our job is not easy and it’s a great learning experience for them.”
The program ran from 2001 until 2008, and then returned in 2013.
“It’s giving people insight about what our department does,” said Sanders. “It gives a positive side of the police department.”
Currently, Sanders has eight people that have joined so far and wants a minimum of 15 people. For the last Citizens Police Academy, the graduation class featured 25 people, which was the second largest class in program history.
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. To be considered, you have to live or work in town. Applications can be picked up in the lobby of the police department and also filled out online.
