HOPKINSVILLE, KY (2/22/12) – The Hopkinsville Police Department is now taking applications for its 11th Annual Citizen’s Police Academy. The deadline to apply for the eight-week program is Thursday, April 5.

The classes begin on Thursday, April 19 and allow participants to see what the department does on a daily basis. Sgt. Scott Mayes says those who attend will get to see canine demonstrations as the teams search for drugs, do building searches, and even apprehend a person wearing a bite suit.

Sgt. Mayes says other topics will include a taser demonstration, a look at S.W.A.T.’s tactical response and equipment, a look at the patrol car and what’s inside. He says one highlight comes from a presentation by the evidence techs as they show their lights, scopes and filters used in investigations. Mayes commented, “For us to be the size we are, there’s a lot of technology people don’t know we’ve got and people are really interested in that.”

All weekly classes are scheduled for Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. The academy concludes with a graduation ceremony and dinner with certificates awarded to all that complete the course. Anyone interested in being a member can pick up an application at the police department on West 1st Street. Applications can also be downloaded from the City of Hopkinsville web site starting Friday, February 24.

A brief background check will be conducted on each applicant. The academy is limited to around 20 students and all attendees must be at least 18 years of age. Class members will be notified once selected for the program. For additional information contact Officer John Bracey at 270-890-1500.

David Bryant
SurfKY News

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