PEABODY — The Peabody Police Department is offering a new fall session of the Citizens Academy, a popular program that offers people a chance to learn firsthand about the important work that police officers do every day.
“The Citizens Academy allows residents to become much more familiar with the inner workings of the Peabody Police Department,” said Police Chief Thomas Griffin. “Participants gain an entirely different perspective into the community in which they live when they learn to see things through the eyes of a police officer.”
The 10-week program will be held at the police department headquarters, 6 Allens Lane, on Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. from Oct. 20 through Dec. 22. The application deadline is Monday, Oct. 11. Seats are limited and will be filled in the order that applications are received.
The academy offers community members a unique opportunity to get an insider’s view of the daily duties of not only police officers, but other key department staff including dispatchers, clerical staff, and others who work within the police department.
Several topics will be covered, including, but not limited to, police reform, terrorism, the legal process, motor-vehicle law, patrol procedures, domestic violence, and investigations. The program also includes a firearms class at the department’s indoor firing range where students will have the opportunity to shoot various weapons and participate in a simulated “Shoot/Don’t Shoot” experience. Participants will also participate in motor-vehicle stop scenarios and take a tour of the Middleton House of Corrections.
Academy instructors include members of the Peabody Police Department, the Essex County District Attorney’s office, and the Massachusetts State Police. All instructors are well versed in their subject matter, and they strongly encourage class participation.
“We hope and expect that participants will graduate from the Citizens Academy with a newfound appreciation for what we as police officers do,” said Capt. Scott Richards, who is spearheading the program. “Participants will finish with a good deal of firsthand knowledge of how the department operates. It will be a real eye-opener.
“It’s a wonderful program,” he added. “We feel we have a great department and this is one of the best opportunities we have to be able to shape the negative narrative about police into something positive by getting this information to our citizens.”
For more information about the program, call Richards at 978-538-6359. Applications are available at the police station at 6 Allens Lane. Applications can also be downloaded from the department’s website, www.peabodypolice.org.