Alsip Police Forming Citizen's Police Academy

ALSIP, IL -- The Alsip Police Department is forming a citizen's academy for Alsip residents age 21 and over. The citizen's academy runs for ten weeks from Aug. 28 to Oct. 30. The class meets Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Participants will learn about the inner workings of the police department and the policing challenges facing the village.

Instructors are Alsip police officers and other guests from law enforcement. The goal of the citizens academy is to create a growing well-informed pool of citizens who have the potential of influencing public opinion about police practices and police services. Citizens will gain an understanding of the problems and challenges facing law enforcement and will have the opportunity to offer comments and solutions.

Different topics are featured each week, including:

• Meet Alsip Police Chief Jay Miller
• Criminal/traffic laws
• Traffic stops
• Firearms (safety and training)
• Gangs, drugs and investigators
• Crime prevention and crime free housing
• Crime scene processing
• Local ordinances
• Plus much more

There are no tests or homework. Police hope that graduates of the program will continue as active partners in identifying crime and solutions within the community and work toward solutions.

There is no fee to join the 10-week sessions. Alsip residents interested in participating in the citizen's police academy can sign up online or pick up an application at the Alsip police station, 4500 W. 123rd St., where classes will be held. For more information, contact Ofr. Rocco Merlo by phone at 708-385-6902 ext. 249 or by email at rmerlo@villageofalsip.org. The deadline to apply by July 27.

~ Image via Alsip PD Facebook