Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
By Jen Gibson, Times-Union staff writer
Anyone who lives or works in the city of Warsaw and wants to learn what it takes to be a police officer will have the opportunity soon.
The Warsaw Citizen's Police Academy currently is accepting applications for its 13th class.
"(People who take the course) will be exposed to different aspects of police work," said Warsaw police officer Greg Oberlin. "The course is taught by police officers and other personnel."
The goal of the course, which is coordinated through the WPD's Crime Prevention Office, is to develop positive relationships between the police and the community.
The first week's class will focus on the history of the Warsaw Police Department as well as a tour of the facilities. Other classes in the 10-week course will focus on department organization, recruiting and hiring, training, patrols, victim's assistance, Crime Stoppers, bike patrols, K-9 patrols and more.
Students in the class will learn about the use of firearms then get the chance to shoot at the firing range.
The administration of sobriety tests and defensive tactics will be discussed and topics such as drugs, gangs and juvenile justice will be covered.
Students in the course will get a tour of the jail as well as the dispatch center and records division of the department.
After the course, Oberlin said, people have a better understanding of what police officers do.
The 10-week course begins Sept. 7 and is held Wednesday nights from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Applications may be picked up at the Warsaw Police Department from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and must be turned in by Aug. 1.
Routine criminal background checks are run on all applicants, and anyone selected to participate in the program will be notified. No convicted felons may take the class.
There is no charge for the class. The class size is limited to 28 students.
Anyone who lives or works in Warsaw and is over age 18 is eligible to be part of the academy.
"We have had people from age 18 to 70," said Oberlin.
Anyone interested in taking the class or wanting more information about the course should call Oberlin at 574-372-9595.
