HPD To Host Citizen Academy

HARRISONBURG — The Harrisonburg Police Department is now accepting applications for its 2013 Citizen Police Academy, which starts next month.

 

Each year, the department hosts the roughly two-month course as a glimpse into what it’s like to be a city police officer.

 

This is the first academy under Harrisonburg Police Department’s new police chief, Stephen Monticelli, who took over in June.

 

“This is part of our ongoing effort to strengthen community partnerships and encourage proactive involvement in keeping our neighborhoods safe,” Monticelli said in a statement.

 

Classes will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. every Thursday at the Public Safety Building, 101 N. Main St. Classes begin March 7 and wrap up on May 2.

 

In previous years, residents received hands-on lessons on several areas of law enforcement, including traffic enforcement, evidence collection, hostage negotiations, crime prevention and weapons training.

 

Applications can be found on the police department’s website, harrisonburgva.gov/police.

 

Applications should be turned in to HPD by Feb. 22.

 

For more information on the course, call Officer Rachel Hammer at 437-2672.

 

Contact Pete DeLea at 574-6278 or pdelea@dnronline.com