The Police Department is rolling out its second installment of Citizens Police Academy this winter in an effort to help the public better understand the operation of the police department.
The Police Academy will increase police/community rapport through education, increase awareness and dispel misconceptions about policing.
The winter session of the Citizens Police Academy is a 10-week, 30-hour program running Wednesday evenings from February 21 through April 25. There is no charge for participation in the Citizen’s Police Academy. However, those that apply to be in the program are expected to be at all 10 sessions, barring unforeseen circumstances.
The academy is open to anyone 18 years old and older, with a priority given to those who live or work in the City of Sterling Heights. According to Police Chief Dale Dwojakowski, the weekly 3-hour classes will give the public a working knowledge of the police department’s personnel and policies. The instruction is comprehensive, covering a different area of the police department each week. Officers, supervisors and personnel assigned to that particular division conduct each instructional block.
“Throughout the 10 weeks of the Citizens Police Academy, our department also learns from the community about their feelings and concerns regarding public safety,” Dwojakowski said. “It is, indeed, a two-way learning experience and incredibly beneficial for our department as well.”
The Citizen’s Academy covers such diverse topics as training, communications, criminal investigations, encountering drunk driving, crime prevention, family violence and juvenile law. Emphasis is placed on the patrol division, as that is the segment of the police department that the public most often comes into contact. Instruction in these and other topics will consist of lectures, demonstrations, tours and hands-on experiences.
Students attending the academy will be exposed to a multitude of police functions and operations, including:
-Department Structure
-Station Tour
-Traffic Safety Bureau
-Detective and Youth Bureau
-Evidence Techs / K9 Units
-Communications / Animal Control
-Undercover Units
-Bike Patrol
-Citizen volunteers
-SRT (Special Response Team)
-Prosecuting Attorney / 41-A Court
-MILO (Military Integrated Laser Operations)
-Firearms Range
Applications can be picked up at the Police Department, 40333 Dodge Park Road, or printed directly from City’s website by clicking “Applications and Forms” or by going directly to www.sterling-heights.net/policeacademy. Interested residents should submit an application to the attention of SHPD Sgt. Aaron Susalla by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 2. Completed applications can be physically dropped off at the Police Department, or scanned and emailed to dallen@sterling-heights.net.
The winter class is capped at 20 participants. All applicants will be notified of their status no later than Friday, February 9. Those not selected for the winter 2018 class may request their application be kept on file for the next class to be scheduled.
Media with questions can contact Community Relations Director Bridget Kozlowski (586) 44-2471 or bkoz@sterling-heights.net.