Perth County OPP are inviting the public to join their Citizens Police Academy.
Constable Bethany Hanlon says the program is a nine week educational course designed to teach members of the public more about the work that their local OPP detachments do in their communities.
"We're seeking community-minded individuals who are at least 18-years-old, who would like to come out Monday nights for nine weeks and hear from a variety of presenters and learn about the police profession. We'll have police officers who serve in the community, who work frontline there, as well as some of our specialty units," Constable Hanlon shared.
Each session is an interactive, information-sharing evening, similar to a night school class. Constable Hanlon notes that many people are familiar with frontline officers, but may learn a great deal about the specialty units that are less public-facing.
"So things like our Street Crime Unit, K9 Unit, Tactics and Rescue Unit, in-service training, and other units like that. So it's just an opportunity for the public to familiarize themselves with their local police officers, the policing profession and some of our specialty units, as well," added Constable Hanlon.
People who are interested in a career in policing are encouraged to attend, but the sessions are open to anyone in the public.
"This is an opportunity for those who are interested in pursuing a career in policing, but it's not only for people pursuing a career, this is open to everyone ion the public. So there is no requirement to be interested in a career. We just want to invite members of the public who want to learn about policing," Constable Hanlon said.
Perth County OPP are making a concerted effort to reach out and engage the public to start 2024. Hanlon says this Citizens Police Academy pairs with the Coffee with a Cop sessions that are planned in the area and is another avenue for the police to engage with and learn from the communities they serve.
"We are kicking off 2024 with a really focused effort to work on our relationships and build partnerships in the community. Our Coffee with a Cop sessions, an opportunity for people to come out and just casually chat with officers, and then the Citizens Academy, a little bit more structured, like a night class, and people will see presentations and ask questions," added Constable Hanlon. "These things are really important to us, just to build those relationships and partnerships and hopefully, these opportunities will lead to more opportunities for us to be involved in the communities. So we're hoping to open some lines of communication with the communities we serve, and then from these events, hopefully they lead to other events where we can better serve our community."
The program is scheduled to run every Monday night for nine weeks, beginning on March 11 through to May 13, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., excluding Monday, April 1, in Listowel. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, February 9. You can pick one up at a local Perth County OPP detachment (Listowel, Mitchell or Sebringville) or online at northperth.ca/opp.
