The Metro Nashville Police Department is accepting applications for its next Citizen Police Academy, which offers Nashville area residents an inside look at local law enforcement.
The summer session, to be held at the Hermitage precinct, begins Monday, June 12. The free course runs 12 weeks.
The program will feature various guest speakers, including members of the police department’s specialized units. Topics will include gangs, narcotics enforcement, domestic violence, traffic/DUI enforcement, internet crimes, emergency preparedness, crime prevention and the judicial process. There will also be tours of the Emergency Communications Center and demonstrations by the aviation, canine and mounted units.
“The Citizen Police Academy provides a unique view of this department and Nashville’s law enforcement professionals,” said Chief Steve Anderson in a news release. “We invite folks from all neighborhoods to consider applying. Class members will come away each week with knowledge about police work that they didn’t have before.”
It will be the 37th session of the Citizen Police Academy since the popular program began in 1995.
Classes will be held on Monday nights from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. through August 28th in the community room of the Hermitage precinct, located at 3701 James Kay Lane. Class size is limited, so those who are interested should apply now. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. June 5.
Applicants should commit to attending at least 9 of the 12 sessions, be a Davidson County resident or business owner at least 21 years old, and have no arrest record, excluding minor traffic violations. While completion of the course gives citizens an understanding of the workings of the police department, it does not make a participant a certified law enforcement officer, nor is it designed to train citizens to perform law enforcement duties. Applications can be submitted online by logging onto http://www.nashville.gov/Police-Department/Get-Involved/Citizen-Police-Academy.aspx
Those who want an application by mail or fax, or who have questions, should contact Noelle Yazdani, the department’s Citizen Police Academy co-coordinator, at 615-880-2892.
