The benefits of a citizens police academy
My understanding of the workings of a police department has come from watching police-related television shows. As it turns out, much of the information that I thought I knew was misinformation. Fortunately, I was given the opportunity to learn what police work is really like.
The Community Relations Department of the Franklin Township Police Department runs a program called the Citizens Police Academy. I had the opportunity to participate in the most recent program, which ended in June. I was amazed at all the things I thought I knew that I really didn’t.
We learned about the work of the various departments of our police unit by participating in presentations given by the officers who actually do the work. We got to ask questions as we went along. Among these departments were Community Relations, Patrol, Traffic, Undercover, Narcotics, Investigations, Internal Affairs and even SWAT. Many of our misconceptions were dispelled, and we grew to realize what police work is really about.
This was not just a lecture series. We participated in a mock traffic stop. We experienced a simulator with realistic life-and-death situations. We were faced with making split-second decisions. If we were a real officer and made a wrong decision, we faced the possibility of being arrested ourselves or ending up dead. This was just a simulation, but it felt very real.
I was impressed with the professionalism of all of the officers that we met. To me, one of the best parts of this program was that it humanized the officers. Going into this program, I had some feelings of an usversus-them mentality. This program certainly changed that. Police became people just like us with the same problems we all have.
This was a wonderful program, and I urge anyone who can to try it.
Edward Carway
Somerset