Brian Smith
Applications are being accepted for a program that gives the public an in-depth look at how law enforcement professionals go about their work.
The Greater Madison County Citizens’ Police Academy will conduct an 11-week class beginning Sept. 21 that offers the public the opportunity to learn about police procedures, tour law enforcement facilities and encourage a friendly relationship between police and citizens, said Sgt. Willard Reardon, Richmond Police Department spokesman.
The academy is co-sponsored by the Richmond force as well as the Berea Police Department, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the Eastern Kentucky University Police Department and the EKU Department of Criminal Justice Training.
The class meets each Monday for two to three hours, and certified police officers and supervisors as well as civilian instructors will teach participants about various topics involving in policing as well as offering tours of police department offices, the Madison County Detention Center, training facilities and courtrooms.
Reardon said the program is designed to give the public a firsthand look at how police officers do their jobs to offer insight and remove any misunderstandings about how police work is done.
The class is free, but participants must be at least 18 years of age, have no felony or misdemeanor convictions and complete a background check prior to the class.
A total of 25 applicants will be accepted for the program. Applications and information are available on the Richmond Police Department’s Web site and may be submitted to Berea police Chief David Gregory at davidgregory@cityofberea.com or Col. Ed Robinson of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at ed.robinson@madisoncounty.us.
Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.
