McCandless considering Citizens Police Academy program

McCandless residents may soon be able to get an insider’s view of what it’s like to serve as a police officer in the town.

Council has approved a request to begin developing a Citizens Police Academy program that takes participants through the daily routines and training that officers undergo.

“We would ideally like to have this formed and started by September with a four-week program,” said councilwoman Carolyn Schweiger, who chairs council’s public safety committee.

A second class could also be conducted in the spring if there is sufficient interest from residents, she said.

Schweiger said the initial program would be for people 18 and older, but there have been discussions about conducting a junior program in the future for students in middle and high school.

The program could include things such as a “ride along” with patrol officers and instruction on the use of firearms and tasers, the proper way to apply handcuffs, how and when the K9 unit is deployed, traffic stops, ethics and how the judicial system operates.

Residents who complete the program likely would recieve a certificate during a ceremony before council.

Councilwoman Patricia Cloonan said she “loved the idea” but wants to be sure that steps are taken to ensure that a wide sampling of residents are participating.

“I’d like to see a wide representation,” she said. “So many people could take advantage of this and learn from it, so I would like the entire community have the opportunity.”

Councilman David Smith said he, too, loved the concept of hosting a Citizens Police Academy.

“I think it could be really great and a good thing for community engagement,” he said.

Council president Kim Zachary said the information that is presented in the program “should flow both ways.”

“I would like us to not just focus on what the police can teach the citizens,” she said. “I’d like something built in into the curriculum so that information flows in both directions.”

Schweiger said discussions have already begun to determine how much it would cost to develop and host a program.

“One thing we’ve discussed is trying to schedule officers to do the program when they are not on overtime,” she said, adding that issues such as liability and insurance and other potential costs must still be worked out.

Town manager Bob Grimm said he began gathering information from other municipalities in the state who have conducted citizen police academies after attending a recent webinar.

“There was a mention (during the webinar) of holding a citizens police academy as a way of improving community engagement between the police department and the residents as well as providing an opportunity for the public to learn what’s involved in policing the community,” he said.

Schweiger will be working with police Chief Ryan Hawk and Sgt. Christian Guzzo to flesh out details of the program, which will be presented to council for approval.