Citizens’ Academies Are Mutually Beneficial For Police, Communities

Last year I had the pleasure and benefit of attending the Nampa Police Department (Idaho) Citizens’ Academy. The academy, which ran one evening per week for 11 weeks and included several Saturday components, covered subjects from arrest procedures and EVOC training to dispatch and domestic violence investigations, plus forensics and property crimes investigations, corrections, range day, K9 and animal control units and drug and gang task forces.

I was surprised by the variety of participants, ranging from high schoolers to retirees. A few academy participants were current college students who have hopes of one day wearing the badge and working at the department; others were folks who volunteer at the police department and wanted to get an even deeper inside look at the work officers and support staff do; another duo was a mother and her son who, at the end of the academy, expressed interest in becoming a cop after he graduated high school.

Every single course was extremely informational, and at some points, very emotional. We laughed as a group at the few academy members who volunteered to get Tasered (I’m never voluntarily doing that again!); we cheerfully supported those members who participated in a “SWAT Challenge” at the range which included flipping tires, busting down doors and firing at a target; and many of us shed tears while hearing the horrific personal accounts of domestic abuse in our own community.

During the 11 weeks, participants in the academy grew closer together, many of us exchanging phone numbers and Facebook “friend requests.” The Citizens’ Academy not only brought participants closer to other civilians in our community, however. Comments from participants suggested that it also increased their trust in and respect for our men and women in uniform. The academy truly educated citizens on the difficulties of law enforcement.

During one class, an officer smiled and commented how the Citizens’ Academy showed him that he had support in the community—something he sometimes forgets.

The academy could not have happened without the hard work of those in the Nampa Police Department and the citizens who were eager to learn more about the men and women who protect them. Thank you to the officers and support staff at the Nampa PD who organize and participate in the citizens’ academies year after year. You are spending even more time away from your families after work hours. Though there may be times you are wondering if your work matters, I’ll be one to say that it absolutely does.

Readers, if your department has never done a citizens’ academy or has ceased holding the classes, I strongly encourage you to look into making it happen in 2018. It might not be easy, but holding a citizens’ academy can be mutually beneficial for your department and those in your community.

Stay safe,

Adrienne