Danbury Police Department offers Citizen Police Academy

The Danbury Police Department is now accepting applications for the 18th session of

Danbury Police Department is located on 120 Main Street the Citizens Police Academy .Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 7:00pm to 9:30pm for ten weeks, with a graduation date to be announced. The course is intended to give residents the opportunity to learn about the Department, police procedures and individual officers and to foster enhanced relations between the Danbury Police Department and the community it serves.

It is not intended to make citizens into police officers, but rather to heighten public awareness of an officer's daily functions and responsibilities. Our objective is to provide interactive instruction in various basic police department tasks as well as to provide an opportunity for role-playing and hands-on experience.

In addition to an inside look at our new 75,000 sq. foot facility, classes will include topics such as An Introduction to the Danbury Police Department, Laws of Arrest, Patrol Procedures, Evidence Gathering and Procedures, Special Investigations division, Defensive Tactics, Use of Force (Shoot/Don't Shoot), Family and Juvenile Law and Court Procedures and Police Liability Issues.

Based on positive results from communities across the country, completion of the program results in the following:

Citizens

•Become Advocates for the Police Department

•Gain a more realistic perspective of police work and the officers that serve them, eliminating skepticism and false perceptions often created by the media

•Creates problem solving and crime prevention partnerships

•Increased confidence and pride in "their" police department

Police Officers

•Changes negative attitudes and promotes the realization that there are citizens that care and who want to help the police

•Helps officers look at citizens and their problems from a different perspective

•Nurtures the idea that citizens may have a great deal to offer

•Creates a willingness to take "the extra step" for someone they now know better

•Enhances morale

Department •Creates a better relationship with the people it serves

•Breaks down communication barriers between police and public

•Good community relations

•Identifies advocates from the community

•Builds strong partnerships with the citizens

•Develops new resources outside the department

•Enhances ability to look "outside the box" using the fresh ideas of citizens.

The program is open to all Danbury residents and also persons who are employed in the City of Danbury that are 18 years of age or older.

Applicants will be subject to submit to a background investigation. Interested persons should contact Officer Jay Mortara of the Community Affairs Unit at 797-4644 for an application. There is no cost to the student.