Designed to acquaint residents with the activities of police officers, the South Bend Police Department is accepting applications now through February 23 for its spring Citizen’s Police Academy.
The nine-week academy held on Tuesday nights from 6-8:30pm, March 1 through April 26, will provide training in aspects of law enforcement, introducing residents to the issues that officers face on a daily basis.
“The goal is to foster a spirit of cooperation between the city, residents and their Police Department,” says Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski. “It is hoped that participants will get to know more about the men and women who are protecting our community and why they make the decisions they do while performing their duty.”
Class size is limited to 40 participants, and is free of charge. Some of the topics covered include crime scene processing, narcotics enforcement, patrol operations, SWAT and K-9 demonstrations, traffic and DWI enforcement, and communications.
Potential candidates must be 18 years of age or older, and have no prior felony convictions. All applicants are subject to a criminal history check.
Applications may be downloaded here or obtained in the lobby of the South Bend Police Department, 701 West Sample Street. For more information, please contact Lt. Pat Hechlinski 235-7527 or Ptl. James Burns 235-9401.