The McMinnville Police Department accepting applications for the Citizen Police Academy, set to return this September.
Detective Sergeant Katelyn Neal said the academy gives residents behind-the-scenes access to a police officer’s work. Neal said participants will get insight into jobs, such as crime scene processing and narcotic investigations. Neal said the academy allows the police department to be transparent with the public.
“We love to be able to put out information and show the public, you know, so they can understand what we do and how we do it,” Neal said. “And we’ve had success in the past, and we hope this one is just as successful.”
Neal said McMinnville has offered the Citizen Police Academy for more than ten years. Neal said participants have really enjoyed the academy.
“For participating in the class, you get to do a ride-along with an officer for a couple of hours, and they really enjoy that,” Neal said. “They have enjoyed coming out and shooting our weapons and kind of seeing what we are all about.”
Residents will also get the chance to ride along with officers and spend a day at the shooting range. Neal said another area she wants to emphasize with attendees, how police deal with crisis intervention.
“We are taught de-escalation,” Neal said. “And so I think the public really needs to see, you know, that we are out here trying to de-escalate situations, and they are gonna kind of get a glimpse into what we are taught to do during those situations.”
Neal said it is important for the police department to build relationships and trust with the public.
The academy begins September 29. The Citizens Police Academy is free and the department is accepting up to 25 participants. Neal said citizens can apply for the academy in person at the McMinnville Police Department or apply online at the department’s Facebook page. .
