Citizens Police Academy begins next week

August 23, 2009

The Hagerstown Police Department is sponsoring a Citizens Police Academy, open to all who live or work in Washington County.

The free classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 1, and will continue on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Graduation will be Tuesday, Nov. 10.

There will be three Saturday sessions covering Community Emergency Response Training (CERT), Firearms Training Simulator (FATS) at Kaplan College and a day at the firearms range.

Included are a ride-along with members of the patrol division, investigations, information on narcotics and gangs, K-9, special response teams, forensics and DUI enforcement.

Opportunities to volunteer with the Hagerstown Fire Police and the Citizens on Patrol will be discussed.

Figures released by CSAFE Officer Gerard Kendle show that the Hagerstown Citizens on Patrol in July logged 104 patrol hours and drove 403 miles, assisting the Hagerstown Police Department in the suppression of crime, according to a prepared release.

During patrols, the citizens identified six traffic offenders, one criminal offender, two nuisance offenders, two suspicious persons, one suspicious vehicle and one disturbance, Kendle said.

He said they made 47 special checks of businesses and residences.

The Hagerstown Citizens on Patrol is recruiting new members. More information can be obtained by calling Lt. Tim Wolford of the Hagerstown Police Department at 301-790-3700, ext. 248.

Participants must be at least 18 years old and sign a form giving permission for a required criminal background check.

Applications for the classes are available in the Hagerstown Police Department lobby at 50 N. Burhans Blvd., or by contacting Kendle at 301-790-3700, ext. 308, or sending e-mail to gkendle@hagerstownpd.org.

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