Zephyrhills Police Department Accepting Applications for Citizens’ Police Academy

The Zephyrhills Police Department is accepting applicatons for the winter 2010 session of the Citizens’ Police Academy starting Wednesday, January 20th in the Community Services training room beginning at 9:00 a.m.

The Citizens’ Police Academy is designed to foster better understanding between citizens and the Police Department by informing citizens of the administrative philosophy, internal policies and guidelines, and principles of law and ethical conduct that govern the delivery of police services within our community.

The Citizens’ Police Academy curriculum is similar to recruit training for new police officers, with a mix of classroom and scenario/hands-on training on such topics as department functions, search and seizure laws, use of force, firearms training, crime prevention, domestic violence, criminal investigations, vice/narcotics operations and K-9 and special operations.  Citizens graduate with a better understanding of police officer training and decision-making, as well as day-to-day police operations. The classes are not intended to train participants to be police officers, but to give citizens a better understanding of law enforcement and the Zephyrhills Police Department.

The Citizens’ Police Academy will meet on Wednesday mornings from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for 6 weeks.  Enrollment is open to any citizen 18 years of age or older. Anyone interested in attending the Citizens’ Police Academy may call the Zephyrhills Police Department for an application at 813-780-0050 ext 147, or complete an application by coming in to the department and requesting one.

The class is limited to 20 students.  applications must be submitted by January 15, 2010.