Peabody Citizens Academy Returns For 21st Session

PEABODY, MA — The Peabody Citizens Academy will return for a 21st session beginning in March.

Classes will begin on March 18 and continue on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. through May 20. Applications are now being accepted through March 11 on a space-available basis.

The academy will include classes on politics in policing, terrorism, the legal process, motor vehicle law, patrol procedures, domestic violence, criminal investigations, and community policing.

The program also features demonstrations from the K9 Unit and Drone Unit. Participants will be able to shoot different weapons at an indoor firing range.

Students will also take part in motor vehicle stop scenarios.

The academy includes tours of both the Peabody Police Station and the Middleton House of Corrections.

Instructors for the academy include members of the Peabody Police Department, the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department.

"We hope and expect that participants will graduate from the Citizens’ Academy with a newfound appreciation for what we as police officers do." Capt. Scott Richards said. "Participants will finish with a good deal of first-hand knowledge of how the department operates and the challenges that police officers face daily.

"It will be a real eye-opener."

Applications for the Citizens Academy are available for pickup at the police station or can be downloaded from the Peabody Police Department website.