PEABODY — The Police Department will once again be hosting its popular Citizens Academy.
The academy is a unique program that offers community members an opportunity to get an insider’s view of the daily duties of police officers, dispatchers, clerical staff and others who work within the police department.
“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 spearheads the program. “Participants will finish with a good deal of firsthand knowledge of how the department operates. It is always a real eye-opener for people to really see up close what we as police officers do every day.”
The session — the 13th since the program debuted in 2015 — will be held on Wednesdays from 6-9 p.m. from March 23 through May 25. The 10-week program is open to Peabody residents and city employees and is offered twice a year. Sessions are held at the department’s headquarters at 6 Allens Lane. Participation is limited to 28 persons
Several topics will be covered including police reform, terrorism, the legal process, motor vehicle law and stop scenarios, domestic violence, investigations, patrol procedures, computer crimes, and CRACE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events). The program also includes a firearms class where students will have the opportunity to shoot various weapons at the department’s indoor firing range, as well as participate in motor vehicle stop scenarios.
A new topic this year is politics and policing as it relates to police reform.
“This is a very, very important issue as we go through the police reform process,” said Richards. “People don’t really understand how politics will affect our policies and procedures. This is a great opportunity for people to learn why we have certain policies and why some of those policies will change under reform.”
Richards said the department is still working out the details of another popular part of the program — a visit to the Middleton House of Correction.
“Everything has been finalized except the tour of the jail,” said Richards. “We’re hopeful, but we are just waiting to hear back from them. Hopefully, that will fall into place this week, perhaps.”
Academy instructors include members of the Peabody Police Department, the Essex County District Attorney’s office, the Massachusetts State Police and the Peabody Healthy Collaborative. All instructors are well-versed in their respective subject matters and strongly encourage class participation.
“We have a great department and are always so excited to be able to give people the opportunity to learn about the things we do,” said Richards. “It’s a wonderful program, especially these days when there is a great need to show the positive things police officers do for the community. People definitely walk away more informed and are more inclined to support the police community. It’s beneficial for everyone ― citizens and police alike.”
For more information about the program, call Sgt. Javier Sanchez at 978-538-6396 or Richards at 978-538-6359.
To download an application, visit the department’s website at www.peabodypolice.org. Completed applications can be mailed to or dropped off at the Peabody Police Department, 6 Allens Lane, Peabody, or emailed to Sanchez or Richards at [email protected] or [email protected], respectively.
The application deadline is Friday, March 18.