After 10 weeks of study and interaction with officers of the Paris Police Department, 23 citizens completed the 7th Citizens Police Academy held since 2009.
Beginning on September 16th, the students attended weekly classes held on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 PM. During the course, students also rode out with police officers on patrol and made a trip to the firing range. Instructors for the course were all working officers in the department and did include the Lamar County Attorney, Gary Young and Asst. City Attorney Stephanie Harris. Topics included the history of the department and law enforcement in general, use of force, patrol, criminal investigations, school resource officers, 9-1-1, communications, records, victims rights and other services provided by the department.
The Citizens Police Academy is a community outreach program. The course and mainly the interaction with the officers allow both officers and citizens to gain a better understanding of how law enforcement works in our community.
Paris Police Chief Bob Hundley commented, “For these citizens to commit a little over 40 hours of their time over 10 weeks to participate in this program is extraordinary. We appreciate not only their time, but their interest in law enforcement and our department”.
After the academy finishes, participants can join an alumni association and pursue volunteer service with the department for the community, the Citizens on patrol program.
