A look inside the law

Civilian Police Academy readies for newest class

Ever wonder what it is like to ride in a patrol car on a police shift or were curious about a Special Response Team or a K-9 unit? For over 20 years, citizens of the town of Davie and Southwest Ranches have enjoyed the opportunity to learn firsthand about the various responsibilities facing police officers on a daily basis.

The44th CivilianPoliceAcademy will be conducting an 11-week course in the classroom along with field instruction on Sept. 6 through Nov. 22 in the Community Room at the Davie Police Department, 1230 S. Nob Hill Road. TheTuesday night class runs from 7 to10p.m.

Class size limits range from 25-30 students for the popular class. The fee is $25. Waiting lists to enroll are usually the norm and it is recommended to call early to reserve a spot. The CPA is open to anyone who lives or works in Davie or Southwest Ranches. The education is beneficial for an age range from young to old. Attendees are provided pizza and refreshments and receive a T-shirt.

The classes allow a much more comprehensive look at the inner workings of a police department. Topics include Community Policing, Crime Prevention, Police Use of Force, Firearms Familiarization, Criminal Justice System, DUI & Traffic Enforcement, Patrol & Criminal Investigations, Dive Team & Crisis Response Team.

Sergeant Mark Leone is one of the public information officers of the Davie Police Department and helps coordinate the CPA program. He has witnessed the benefits of the program through the interaction the public has with police officers.

“The whole purpose of the program is to allow people to see the inner workings of our Police Department and observe firsthand things you normally never get to see like our training,” Leone said.

At the end of the course, attendees get to experience various training scenarios and receive