Date: Fri 18-Dec-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

citizen's-police-academy

Full Text:

Police To Offer Advanced "Academy" For Citizens

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

To provide participants of past Citizens Police Academy sessions with more

detailed information on how local police handle law enforcement, the Newtown

Department of Police Services will sponsor its first Advanced Citizens Police

Academy.

Sgt Michael Kehoe, the police department's coordinator for the program, said

this week that police surveyed graduates of past academy programs on their

desire for further knowledge about police work. About 20 people will be

participating in the advanced program, he said.

During the past five years, more than 100 people have taken part in the

academy program. Citizens Police Academy is an informational program on police

work for the general public and local business owners. The program is not

designed to train people to become police officers.

The advanced program is scheduled for January 7 through February 25. The

weekly two-hour sessions will be conducted at Town Hall South.

Topics will include: motor vehicle accident investigations and reconstruction;

high-risk motor vehicle stops; weapons training and safety; investigative

techniques and tools; arson investigation; long-term investigations;

self-defense and baton training; and motor vehicle pursuits.

The advanced version of Citizens Police Academy will go into more detail on

law enforcement issues than the standard academy sessions. It also will cover

aspects of law enforcement not previously addressed, Sgt Kehoe said.

For example, the basic academy course described auto accidents in general

terms. The advanced version of the course will consider the physical dynamics

of auto accidents, he said.

Also, the detective bureau's upcoming sessions on investigative techniques and

long-term investigations will go into more depth than the sessions previously

offered, Sgt Kehoe said.

Sgt Kehoe said police department members who give lectures on their areas of

expertise will describe the aspects of their specialties which they consider

most interesting.

The police department decided to conduct advanced academy sessions after

academy participants said they wanted to learn more about police work.

Resident Shirley Woytach participated in a past citizens academy and eagerly

anticipates the advanced sessions.

"I'm really looking forward to it. I'm really excited...I just love learning,"

she said.

The police department plans to conduct another standard Citizens Police

Academy program this spring.

Sgt Kehoe, a 20-year police veteran, was the school resource officer from

January to June 1997, working with students in grades 6 through 12. Before

that he served as the youth officer for eight years, working with students in

kindergarten through grade 5.