| The purpose of
the Summerville Police Department’s Citizens Police
Academy is to provide citizens who live or work in the
Town of Summerville a deeper understanding of the job
knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the modern
day law enforcement officer. This will be accomplished
through the use of department instructors and employees
with specific or specialized knowledge and experience,
through the use of video and audio presentations, as
well as practical “hands on” exercises.
Participants will
utilize the information presented to gain a new and
hopefully positive insight into the difficult challenges
of today’s law enforcement personnel. By observing
different areas of the department, the participants will
be given the opportunity to view an officer or officers
during the day to day activities of “protecting and
serving” this community.
Our program is
nationally recognized by the
National Citizens
Police Academy Association, our
coordinator Lt James M Bateman recently received
his National Certification as a Citizen’s
Police Academy Coordinator at the 2010 NCPAA Conference
in Hilton Head, SC.
Citizen’s Police Academy FAQ’s
What
is the Citizen’s 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”,
“America’s Most Wanted”, and “CSI”. 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. Generally, the
relationship between the police and the citizen is one
of “love/hate”. To the Citizen, it may frequently appear
that the police are not doing their job or are exceeding
their boundaries. 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 not to
train an individual to be a “Reserve Police Officer” but
to produce informed citizens. 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 behind the
badge.
What
is the history of the Citizen Police Academy?
The concept of the Citizen Police Academy actually
started in the United Kingdom in 1977. It began in the
Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, in City of Exeter,
England. A police night school was implemented to allow
citizens, who were anxious to learn about Police
functions, Police operations and the organization of the
Police system in England.
The founders received an immediate response from the
public. They were soon overwhelmed with applicants
wanting to know about “their” police force. The project
was so successful that it was permanently adopted as
part of an ongoing police public relations program.
Who can attend the Summerville Police Department’s
Citizen’s Police Academy
The program is open to citizens, who are at least 18
years of age, reside or work in the Town of
Summerville and have an interest in learning about
the workings of the police department. The Class
will be limited to 20 students.
When will the next class be held?
The “first” Citizen’s Police Academy will be held on
Tuesday nights 6:30pm to 9:30pm beginning August 10,
2010; some optional Saturday classes may be offered
for additional hands on training.
Where will classes be held?
Classes will be held in the Summerville Police
Training Room at 300 West 2nd
North Street and at other locations as required by
topic.
Where do I get an application for the next class?
Click here
to download application
Who do I contact for more information?
Lt
James Bateman
Summerville Police Department
300
West 2nd North Street
Summerville, SC 29483-6538
(843) 285-7020 Office
(866) 429-5054 Toll Free Fax
jbateman@summervillesc.gov
(**E-Mail is the best contact method)
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