Mitchell to offer citizens police academy in the fall

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The Mitchell Department of Public Safety will be offering a Fall Citizens Police Academy.

Citizens will see how the police department operates. Participants in each session commit to meeting for three hours one night per week, for 12 weeks, to learn about each aspect of the department.

The goals of the Citizens Academy are to create a growing group of responsible, well-informed citizens who have the potential of influencing the public opinions about police practices and services.

Citizens will gain an appreciation of the problems and challenges facing law enforcement and have an opportunity to offer comments and ideas regarding solutions.

Various officers and personnel from the department speak on their areas of expertise, as well as other specialized guest speakers.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older. They must be a resident of the City of Mitchell or a business owner in the area or otherwise have a vested interest in the community.

Participants will be chosen at the discretion of the crime prevention unit and chief of police after backgrounds and references have been checked.

Subjects will include recruit training, firearms policies/use of force, patrol division, search and seizure/laws of arrest, department tour, alcohol task force, DUI and drug task force, criminal investigations, animal enforcement, motor vehicle enforcement, communications division, special operations and crime prevention,

There is no fee for attending the Citizens Academy; however, class size is limited to the first 20 approved applicants.

The deadline is Aug. 13.

Contact the Mitchell Police Division to pick up an application at 201 W. First Ave., or contact Sgt. Michael Koster at 995-8400 for more information.

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