Applications accepted for upcoming Citizen's Police Academy

~ The academy meets at the department's headquarters on Thursday evenings.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department is seeking individuals who are interested in attending the annual Citizen's Police Academy, which will familiarize participants with the department's daily activities and services through presentations by various department officers.

While most residents know what the police department does, the academy will answer why and how certain activities are carried out, said Sgt. Rick Schmidt.

"Basically, it helps build a working relationship and trust between the department and citizens by helping them have a better understanding of the inner workings of law enforcement," said police spokesman Sgt. Barry Hovis.

The seven-week academy will meet at the department's headquarters on Thursday evenings starting on Feb. 2. The agenda includes visits from the chief Carl Kinnison, the Cape Girardeau County Prosecutor's Office, victims advocate Beth Garoutte, the patrol and traffic division, detectives and scientific investigative unit, jail/support services, domestic violence services, DARE/SRO officers, health/nuisance abatement, communication traffic safety, K-9 demonstrators, firearms trainers and a special response team demonstration. Graduation will be at a city council meeting on March 20.

The class will include up to 24 participants, and each person will undergo a background check to ensure that no one is a convicted criminal offender, Hovis said.

"We want to reward citizens who want to come down here and learn about what we do and how to help out," Schmidt said.

Since the academy's inception in the late 1990s, graduates have volunteered at the department, he said. Involvement has included microfilming, alphabetizing fingerprint cards and other filing activities.

Anyone interested in attending may contact the police department at 335-6621 for an application by Jan. 31.

jmetelski@semissourian.com