The Parsons Police Department is working on several community service projects, many of which are geared towards our youth. However, one project in particular is set up specifically for adults. This community service program is the Citizen Police Academy.

 

 

The role of Police has always been an interest to the average Citizen. The television media has capitalized upon this curiosity with shows such as "Cops", and "America's Most Wanted". Each week, real police action is broadcast into the living rooms of millions of Americans. Numerous police agencies have also benefited from the curiosity that citizens have about the police.

 

These agencies have formed Citizen Police Academy programs that create an expansion of their community based efforts. These programs are intended to open the lines of communication between the Community and the Police Department.

 

To the average citizen, it may frequently appear that the police are not doing their jobs. By allowing citizens a firsthand look at what rules, regulations and policies the police follow, some of the misunderstanding may be alleviated.

 

The objective of the Citizen Police Academy is to produce informed citizens, not to train an individual to be a "Reserve Police Officer." The citizens and police officers meet each other face to face in a neutral, friendly setting and each becomes a person to the other. In the past, citizens have simply seen a uniform, now they have an understanding about the person and department behind the badges. (The above information was provided by National Citizen's Police Academy Association: www.nationalcpaa.org)

 

The Parsons Police Department is interested in showing our citizen's what we do as police officers. The program is still in the planning stages, but the class will begin July 12, 2007, with applications accepted after June 1, 2007. The classes will focused on Community Policing, Patrol Procedures, Investigations and Evidence. Instructors will include members of the Parsons Police Department, Labette County Sheriff's Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigations. The students will also be required to participate in the ride-a-long program. After about five weeks, students will participate in a graduation-type ceremony. All interested individuals will be required to fill out an application, pass a criminal history background check, have a valid driver's license, be 21 years of age, and be a resident of Parsons. Anyone interested in participating in the program can contact Sgt. Walter Largent at 421-7060.

 

May 21st-June 3rd	"Click It or Ticket" Saturation Patrol
June 8th	Labette County Public Safety Kids Camp - 8 am -5 pm
July 12th	Parsons Police Department Citizens' Police Academy

 

For more information on these upcoming events, contact
Sgt. Walter Largent @ 421-7060
wlargent@terraworld.net