Published: October 30, 2009 08:20 pm      

Citizens police academy gearing up

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Plans are under way for the 2010 Citizens Police Academy.

“We continue to get positive feedback from everyone who has attended in the past,” Mt. Vernon Police Chief Chris Mendenall said. “Each year we hear that people don’t realize all the services the Mt. Vernon Police Department provides.”

There are seven sessions of the academy, each being held on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. beginning on Jan. 12, 2010. The academy will be held at the Municipal Building West on Potomac Boulevard.

The academy is free to citizens aged 16 or older, but an application must be turned in to attend. Applications may be picked up at the police department. A background check will be done on all participants.

Topics covered during the academy are on the bicycle patrol, chaplain division, crime scene investigations, cyber crimes, DARE, the High Risk Team, internal investigations, K-9, patrol services, narcotics investigations, school resource officer, senior services, telecommunications and traffic safety. Once residents complete the academy, they will have the opportunity to ride with an officer for four hours while on duty. The ride-alongs usually happen when the weather gets warmer, Mendenall said.

Mendenall said the academy continues to garner more interest each year.

“With the increase in the Neighborhood Watch Program, there are a lot of people involved,” Mendenall said. “A lot of people who get involved with Neighborhood Watch attend the academy.”

Each class will be taught by officers with the department. The seven-week course is free to the public, and applications from those wishing to attend must be received at the Mt. Vernon Police Department by Jan. 1. Additional information about the academy is available at 242-2131.