Latest session of Rowlett Citizen’s Police Academy to begin on April 16

by PegNews wire

ROWLETT — The Rowlett Police Department presents the 25th session of the Rowlett Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA), scheduled to begin on April 16. Participants will learn about the roles and responsibilities of the various divisions within the department with interactive sessions including a driving course where students get to drive police squad cars; a trip to the range where students shoot police firearms; and a look at an actual murder investigation and the forensic evidence used to achieve a conviction.

Other topics include an introduction to the Office of the Chief, Records Division, Detention (Jail), Communications/911, Traffic Division, DWI Enforcement, Patrol Procedures, Criminal Investigations, Child Abuse/Sex Offenders, the S.W.A.T. Team and Crime Scene Investigations.

The program also gives students the opportunity to ride along with a police officer during an actual shift. Students that complete the program will have a greater appreciation of what police officers do, and a better understanding of why they do it.

"The Rowlett Police Department has a commitment to foster an active partnership with the community. Critical to the success of this partnership are well-informed citizens who have an awareness of the mission, resources and service of their police department,” said Police Chief Matt Walling. “To that end, the Police Department has developed this academy for citizens, business leaders and members of local civic and government organizations within our city. Community involvement is the most powerful, efficient and practical form any local law enforcement agency has in the fight against crime. We want to encourage our citizens to become active partners with their police department by working together to identify solutions to problems facing our community.”

The program began in 1998, and to date nearly 300 citizens have completed the course. The Rowlett CPA is an educational outreach program that gives citizens that live or work in Rowlett a chance to get to know the men and women of their Police Department.

The 11-week Rowlett Citizen’s Police Academy is free, and open to anyone who lives or works in Rowlett. Individuals must be 21 years of age, have a good standing in the community and have no previous felony convictions. Classes will be held at the Rowlett Community Center, 5300 Main Street, on Thursday evenings from 7-10 p.m. from April 16 through June 25.

For more information, or to request an application, contact Community Services Officer Dan Miller at dmiller@rowlett.com or 972-412-6242.

Source: City of Rowlett