Redondo Beach Police Department's Citizen Police Academy starts tonight....but there's still time to sign up!

The Redondo Beach Citizen Police Academy began in the spring of 1994 and the program is conducted once a year by the Police Department.

The Academy’s purpose is to provide members of the community with a working knowledge of the Police Department along with the roles and responsibilities of its police officers.

The goals of the program are accomplished through lecture, hands-on training, demonstrations and a ride-along with a police officer.

The participants will meet for three hours, one night per week for fifteen weeks, in addition to a graduation night. The information covered includes police training, SWAT, traffic, criminal investigation, K-9, gangs and narcotics. There will be an emphasis on the patrol division, since it is this unit that has the majority of public contact.

The program is part of an on-going effort to improve police-community relations. It is strongly believed that the more information that the public has about the Redondo Beach Police Department, the less likely they will be suspicious, fearful or hold any misconceptions about police operations. Many conflicts are caused simply by a lack of understanding. The graduates of the program become not only better informed, but they can take back a solid foundation of information to the community. The result is a closer and more positive relationship between the Police Department and the community it serves.

If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in participating in this program, please contact Officer Michael Diehr at his email address mike.diehr@redondo.org or by phone at 310-379-2477 x2493. Officer Diehr will send out an application and information packet. Applications are taken on first come; first serve basis and seats are limited. The Academy is for first time participants only.

For additional information, visit the website at http://www.redondo.org/depts/police/volunteer/default.asp.

http://southbaybyjackie.com/redondo-beach-citizen-police-academy-january-21-2015/