Warsaw Citizens Police Academy Accepting Applications
Posted
Jen Gibson-jgibson@timesuniononline.com
It's that time of year again for Warsaw residents.
The Warsaw Citizens Police Academy is accepting applications for its 15th class. Warsaw residents who are interested in learning about all aspects of police work could get the chance to be a part of the academy, which begins Sept 4.Applications for the academy currently are being accepted at the Warsaw Police Department. The deadline for applications is Aug. 10. Those selected to participate in the academy will be notified before the Aug. 26 new class mixer. The class will consist of 20 to 25 people.
The 10-week course begins Sept. 4 and is held Tuesday 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. 10.
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.
"We want people to have a better understanding of how law enforcement operates and why we do the things we do," said certified course instructor Greg Oberlin of the Warsaw Police Department. "Most of the things we have to do are for our safety and citizens' safety. Many people have preconceived notions about why we do what we do, and we try to dispel those notions with this class."
People in the course also will get the chance to see how the police department has become what it is today.
"Our goal is education, for citizens to have a better understanding of the function of the police department," said Oberlin. "People may have some ideas of what we can do. This course helps people understand the constraints we are under legally. Our main goal is the education of citizens, so they are more informed about what we do. Then when they read something in the paper or see it on the news, they understand that things are the way they are because we are bound.
"We would like them to come as close to being an officer as they can without actually having to strap on a gun and do it."
Those taking the course will learn how local officers deal with the new challenges population growth brings, as well as how they deal with technology crimes.
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 assistance, bike patrols, K-9 patrols, the DARE program and more.
Students in the course will get a tour of the jail, as well as the dispatch center and records division of the department. They also will learn about the use of firearms, and 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.
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.
Anyone who lives or works in Warsaw and is over age 18 is eligible to be part of the academy.
Anyone interested in taking the class or wanting more information about the course should call Oberlin at 574-372-9515 at the Warsaw Police Department from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
