Law enforcement seeks to bridge the gap with Citizens' Police Academy - Williamsport Sun-Gazette
State troopers and area law enforcement want to bridge the gap of communication between themselves and the public.
“We need to show the public what we do behind the scenes and not what they see on television,” said Trooper Lauren Lesher, a community services officer with the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop F, Montoursville.
To accomplish that, a Citizens’ Police Academy is going to take place over the course of several weeks starting Feb. 15.
“Don’t be shy,” she said of those interested in attending the free course designed to introduce the public to what law enforcement does each and every day and night.
First, a few rules.
Participants must be Lycoming County residents, be 18 years of age or older, and possess no criminal history, she said.
Those interested must submit their application, and it must be postmarked no later than Feb. 1.
Class size will be limited to 25 participants who are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Once the application is received, the PSP conducts a brief criminal background investigation, she said.
Over the six-week-long course, participants will look inside the world of a police officer.
The program is designed to expose selected county residents to the types of training officers receive, Lesher said.
“We also go over general law enforcement concepts and responsibilities,” she said.
What can be expected is, hopefully, a forum for understanding and communication between citizens and police officers.
Individuals selected to participate will gain a greater understanding of police practices and a deeper sense of law enforcement agency duties, she said.
Participants have the opportunity to influence the two-way conversation necessary to reveal areas of improvement in the partnership between police forces and the public.
Class size will be limited to 25 participants.
During the six Tuesday evening sessions, participants receive instruction and have hands-on learning of multiple police procedures and techniques.
Presentations will be given by various speakers of different law enforcement agencies.
The guests will include speciality units within the PSP, area municipal police, K-9 specialists, FBI and others, Lesher said.
Topics include DUI enforcement, use of force, internet crimes and special appearance by Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner, who will present on the “Roles of Criminal Procedure.”
The sessions will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and start Feb. 15 and end March 22, she said.
Those attending must go to five of the six sessions to graduate. The Citizens’ Police Academy will take place at the Loyalsock Township Fire Department located at 715 Northway Road.
“As a Community Services Officer for the PSP my role is to open the line of communication between the PSP and the general public,” Lesher said.
That includes creating a better understanding with the public.
“My hope is those attending and presenting get a lot out of this interaction at the Citizens’ Police Academy,” she said.
Applications are available at the PA State Police barracks at Montoursville, online at bit.ly/LyCoCPA or by calling 570-368-5764 and requesting one be sent.
source: https://www.sungazette.com/news/top-news/2022/01/law-enforcement-seeks-to-bridge-the-gap-with-citizens-police-academy/
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