Citizen Police Academy

 

What is the Citizen Police Academy?

The Citizen Police Academy is an opportunity for the citizens of the Burleson area to learn the "ins and outs" of how their police department operates. The program is offered during the summer and is a twelve-week program with a weekly three hour class. There is no cost to attend and the class size is limited to twenty-five students.

What is the purpose of the Citizen Police Academy?

A police agency cannot be effective without the trust of its citizens. The Citizen Police Academy program builds that trust. Through education, it provides a bridge between the officer in the car and the citizens in the field. Hopefully, citizens who complete the program will come away understanding what the police department REALLY does, as opposed to what they see on television. Citizens will gain an appreciation of the problems and challenges facing law enforcement and have an opportunity to offer comments and ideas regarding solutions. Those citizens then become the police department's "goodwill ambassadors" throughout the community.

What is taught in the classes?

Topics covered include the organization of the department, recruiting process, Texas Penal Code, criminal investigation, search and seizure, building searches, traffic law enforcement, effects of alcohol, narcotics investigation, SWAT, patrol procedures, and many others. We strive to make the classes as "hands on" as possible. For example, instructors demonstrate techniques that are used to search a building for an intruder and provide scenarios where participants can practice what they've learned. Participants even attempt to solve a homicide scenario by identifying evidence, using investigative techniques, and interviewing witnesses. They'll also get to see police work first hand as they ride along with an officer on duty or monitor the communications office.

Who teaches the Citizen Police Academy?

One police officer acts as a coordinator for the Academy but speakers from throughout the police department share their areas of expertise with the students. Occasionally instructors are brought in from outside the department as well (i.e. criminal prosecutor, judge, etc.).

Who can attend the Citizen Police Academy?

To attend, participants must be 18 years of age or older and either reside or work in the city of Burleson. Prospective participants are required to submit an application, which is available at the police department. A criminal history check will be run on all students prior to the class beginning and the final decision to allow entry into the Academy rests with the Chief of Police.

Do I have to be in good physical condition?

Physical activity is kept to a minimum. People of all ages and physical conditions can and do participate successfully in the program.

What about after the Citizen Police Academy is over?

That's when the real fun starts! There is a CPA Alumni Association that meets monthly to organize activities to assist the police department. Members may lead fundraising activities to purchase equipment for the department, participate in community service projects, or provide valuable volunteer service to the department. The Alumni Association is like a family. Plans are also in the works to have an Advanced Citizen Police Academy!

So, how do I get more information?

Call the Burleson Police Department at 817-447-5300, extension 311, or send an email. Applications for the summer course are usually available at the front desk of the police department beginning the first part of May of each year, with the actual Academy beginning in June.

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The Burleson Police Department added 20 names to its roster as the 2008 Citizens Police Academy class recently graduated.

The graduates include Maria Hicks, Chris Hendrick, Jerri McCallum, Deborah Reece, Linda Brasher, Patty Smith, Carolyn Carminati-Mitchell, Lana Tadsen, Janet Whitten, Manuel Trevino, Rachel Valdez, Rebecca Byrd, Sam Ferrara, Rusty Reece, Joseph Hallmark, Daniel Luper, David Sinzinger, Keith Kelly, Dennis Burke, and Billy Ayars.

The free 10-week course is open to men and women who are at least 18 years old. The graduates have to submit a written application, waiver form, and a form giving consent for a criminal record search. Citizens Police Academy is taught during the summer. Sgt. Brian O’Heren will be the coordinator for the 2009 class.

The graduates learned about the history of law enforcement; the recruiting and hiring process; laws of arrest, search and seizure; use of force; special response teams; law enforcement communications systems; the effects of alcohol on the body; DWI enforcement; evidence identification and collection; criminal investigations; patrol procedures; traffic enforcement; victims assistance; child abuse investigation; juvenile procedures; and internal affairs. Graduates also had the option of riding up to eight hours with an on-duty patrol officer or observing the internal workings of the department’s telecommunications division.

Check the City’s web site at www.burlesontx.com for news about future CPA classes. For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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Sheila Wakeman won the honors as Volunteer of the Year for 2006 from the Burleson Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (BCPAAA).

Tim Ivy, president of the Burleson Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (BCPAAA) presents the Volunteer of the Year Award for 2006 to Sheila Wakeman.

The honor was presented by Tim Ivy, president of the BCPAA. Wakeman also earned a Silver Individual Presidential Volunteer Service Award for working 307 hours in 2006.

The Presidential Volunteer Service Award is a national honor.  Established in 2003, the award is available annually to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering.  As one of thousands of certifying organizations participating in the award program, BCPAAA recognizes the outstanding achievements of its volunteers. To be eligible to receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award, individuals, families and groups submit a record of their annual volunteer service hours to participating certifying organizations.

Twenty-nine BCPAA members earned the Gold Group Presidential Volunteer Service Award for donating a combined 2,999 hours in 2006. Those who worked toward that honor include Caty Atkins, Gena Bell, Jeremy Cooley, Robert Crabtree, Rebecca Daily, Dawn Dixon, Tim Ivy, Darlene Jones, Richard Lamar, Martha Markle, David Martin, Rebecca Martin, Meryl McClure, Vicki McElroy, Kim Morris, Robbie Morris, Tisha Murdock, Gay Null, Betty Offutt, C.M. Sanders Jr., Jack Shelton, Peggy Starks, Becky Stringer, Les Todd, Cheryl Toomer, Patsy Treece, Sheila Wakeman, Willette Walter, and Wes Williams.

Individual Bronze Awards were presented to Gena Bell, 108 hours; Jeremy Cooley, 132 hours; Rebecca Daily, 104 hours; Dawn Dixon, 145 hours; Tim Ivy, 224 hours; David Martin, 110 hours; Rebecca Martin, 109 hours; Tisha Murdock, 155 hours;  CM Sanders Jr., 137 hours; Jack Shelton, 101 hours; Becky Stringer, 102 hours; Patsy Treece, 124 hours; and Willette Walter, 238 hours.

“In addition to those receiving individual Presidental Volunteer Service Awards, more than a dozen members contributed service hours towards the group award. Those members include Caty Atkins, Robert Crabtree, Peggy Gibson, Darlene Jones, Richard Lamar, Martha Markle, Meryl McClure, Vicky McElroy, Kim Morris, Robbie Morris, Gay Null, Betty Offutt, Peggy Starks, Les Todd, Cheryl Toomer, and Wes Williams.

 

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