Citizens Police Academy
Fighting Crime Through Education; Building New Friendships; Partnering with the Community
The Citizens Police Academy is an eight week course designed to provide citizens with an overview of the Southern Pines Police Department's structure, services, and personnel. The curriculum and teaching methods are similar to the traditional police academy, but the sessions are not designed to make a participant a police officer. Rather, it is an opportunity for citizens to learn firsthand from experienced officers the duties and responsibilities of law enforcement personnel. Classes are held one evening a week for approximately two (2) hours.
The sessions are taught by patrol officers, detectives, telecommunicators and other law enforcement personnel. Topics include patrol procedures and functions, narcotics, crime scene investigation, Driving While Impaired (DWI) issues, the criminal justice system, and more. Participants are provided the opportunity to ride along with an on-duty patrol officer and to fire a police weapon at a firing range.
The goal of the Southern Pines Citizens Police Academy is to educate and inform the community, to provide a forum for police/community interaction, to identify community problems, needs, and concerns, and to foster a partnership with the community that will enhance problem solving. Working together toward this goal will lead to better public safety in the community.
The academy is open to citizens who:
• Are eighteen (18) years of age or older
• Are a resident of or business owner in Southern Pines
• Have no felony convictions
• Have no misdemeanor convictions within one (1) year of application
• Have no pending criminal charges
A review of the applicant’s background and criminal history, if any, is required. The requirements may be waived or modified upon review and approval of the Chief of Police.
The next Citizens Police Academy is scheduled for the spring of 2010.
Contact the Community Services Coordinator by email or by telephone at (910) 692-2732 for more information. To apply, complete the Citizens Police Academy Application Form (PDF) and mail or bring it to the police department. Applications are also available at the police department.
Schedule
Session 1 - Introduction
Session 1 includes a welcome to the Citizens Police Academy by Chief Letteney. The discussion includes the purpose of the Academy and an introduction to the mission, vision, history, and structure of the department. Class schedules and other department information is distributed.
Session 2 - Patrol
Session 2 focuses on the different functions and services of the Patrol Division. Included is an overview of Patrol techniques, the Field Training and Evaluation Program, Accident Reconstruction and DWI detection and arrest.
Session 3 - Communications
Session 3 is centered on the department’s Communications Division and includes an overview of the communications architecture used to support public safety communications needs. The discussion includes a description of the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, the North Carolina Division of Criminal Information (DCI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Crime Information Center (NCIC) systems. The department’s capabilities to communicate on matters of public safety with the community, as well as with other public safety organizations nationwide, are introduced.
Session 4 - Investigations
Session 4 covers the Investigation Division. A tour of the Division is provided and the presentation includes film footage of undercover drug purchases as well as hands-on viewing of seized contraband. The discussion includes crime scene processing and evidence collection and laboratory analysis.
Session 5 - Specialty Teams
Session 5 introduces the participant to the department’s Special Teams. This session includes a field trip to a firing range where participants are allowed to join members of the Special Response Team (SRT) on the range for live-fire exercises. Additionally, the SRT provides a demonstration on tactical entry skills.
Session 6 - K-9 Unit
Session 6 introduces the department’s K-9 teams to the class. K-9 handlers and their dogs provide demonstrations on the skills and abilities of police work dogs.
Session 7 - Community Oriented and Problem Oriented Policing
Session 7 describes the concepts of Community Oriented and Problem Oriented Policing, hallmarks of the public safety philosophy of the Southern Pines Police Department. The functions and services of the Community Services Section are discussed with a special emphasis on crime prevention programs. Presentations of individual projects are provided by police officers.
Session 8 - Graduation
Session 8 is a celebration! The class participates in a graduation ceremony to include presentation of certificates, photos and refreshments. Participants are reminded that, while this may be the end of the Citizens Police Academy, it is the beginning of an enhanced relationship between the class and the Southern Pines Police Department.
During the eight week course, participants will be offered the opportunity join a police officer on patrol during a scheduled ride along.