Through the Victoria Police Departmentòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Civilian Police Academy, residents have been able to go beyond the badge and put themselves in the shoes of local law enforcement.
òòò½ÊÓƵœPeople donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t realize everything that officers go through,òòò½ÊÓƵ Civilian Police Academy Alumni Association Board President Dr. Phylis Canion said. òòò½ÊÓƵœThis academy gives them a taste of what itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s like and helps residents better understand police officers.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Since the early 1990s, residents have received firsthand experience of police procedures and protocols through the academy. For 11 weeks, residents in the Civilian Police Academy get to learn about everything from background checks to firearm safety and much more.
òòò½ÊÓƵœThe Civilian Police Academy doesnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t teach you how to become a police officer and youòòò½ÊÓƵ™re not tied down to a job,òòò½ÊÓƵ Canion said. òòò½ÊÓƵœThe academy is all about educating citizens.òòò½ÊÓƵ
While some of the weekly lessons are more informational than hands on, students in the academy get to learn about subjects such as drug trafficking and human smuggling from experts and learn about how local law enforcement operates. Some lessons though can only be taught through experience.
On Tuesday, the current class of 16 Civilian Police Academy students got to walk through traffic stop scenarios with officers, learning how to address motorists and getting to experience what goes through an officeròòò½ÊÓƵ™s head as they approach a vehicle.
òòò½ÊÓƵœ11 weeks isnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t enough time,òòò½ÊÓƵ Canion said. òòò½ÊÓƵœBut we cover such a wide range of topics in that short amount of time for 3 hours each Tuesday.òòò½ÊÓƵ
From ride-alongs to learning whatòòò½ÊÓƵ™s in the back of a patrol car, residents aged 18 to 88 of all different backgrounds and professionals have been able to get an up-close and personal look at the police departmentòòò½ÊÓƵ™s operations. While most residents who participate in the academy donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t go into law enforcement, some dedicated students decide to continue their education and enroll in the police departmentòòò½ÊÓƵ™s training academy.
òòò½ÊÓƵœJust off the top of my head I can think of at least five current officers and dispatchers who went through the Civilian Police Academy and were interest in joining in the department,òòò½ÊÓƵ Community Engagement Officer John Turner said.
For those interested in joining law enforcement, the Civilian Police Academy opens a door and nurtures their interest.
òòò½ÊÓƵœThis academy is all about education,òòò½ÊÓƵ Canion said. òòò½ÊÓƵœNot only does it help the public understand what police officers go through, it also helps the police department understand the community from a citizenòòò½ÊÓƵ™s perspective.òòò½ÊÓƵ
So far, there have been 45 graduating classes from the Civilian Police Academy. Once a year, the Victoria Police Department hosts the academy for 11 weeks during the spring. The academy starts every February and runs through April.
If residents are interested in learning what itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s like to be tased, they donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t have to flee a traffic stop, they can join the Civilian Police Academy next year and get that firsthand experience for free.
Tasing exposure and firearms demonstration are just some of the hands-on learning residents can get through the academy. To learn more about the Civilian Police Academy, please visit .
After the Civilian Police Academy, residents can join the Civilian Police Academy Alumni Association and put their skills to use by volunteering. Volunteers in the alumni association help the police department host resource booths at community events and help with parking during events such as the lighted Christmas parade downtown.
To learn more about the non-profit alumni association, please visit .
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