The Covington Police Department will be sponsoring its fourth annual Citizens Police Academy.
The program is scheduled to begin Thurs., April 28 and conclude Thus., July 21 with a graduation ceremony.
The mission of the Citizens Police Academy is to familiarize the citizens of Covington and the surrounding area with the operations of their local law enforcement agencies.
Again this year, the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office, the Clifton Forge Police Department, the town of Iron Gate and the Bath County Sheriff’s Office will be actively involved in the academy. All departments will play key roles by providing instructors as well as role players.
Unlike the past academies, this class will be assisted by graduates of the Advanced Citizens Police Academy.
The Citizens Police Academy will provide the attendees with an inside look at local law enforcement agencies.
The purpose of this academy is to increase understanding between the citizens and law enforcement, through education and interaction with members of our local law enforcement agencies.
This academy will give citizens the opportunity to learn why we can and/or cannot do certain things.
“It is hoped the instruction will increase public awareness to dispel suspicions and misconceptions and to increase police-community rapport through this positive educational program,” Covington First Sergeant Roger Dawson said. “A program like the Citizens Police Academy also allows more open discussion between the police and citizens.
“This makes it much easier to exchange ideas and receive feedback on the various programs that police departments are using. This will also give the public an opportunity to voice concerns and offer ideas that can assist in solving issues. The Citizens Police Academy will go to great lengths to improve community relations between many aspects of society, such as local businesses, citizens, police officers and local governments,” Dawson added.
The 14-week, 44-hour training program consists of classroom and hands-on instruction. Topics covered include the duties of a uniform patrol officer, investigative procedures, tactical operations, law and legal issues, civil issues, firearms, DUI procedures – along with the DUI simulator and Drug Task Force Operations.
Students will participate in many interesting activities, such as touring the police department, the Alleghany Regional Jail and the Covington Firehouse.
Students will also be using police equipment, collecting evidence and role playing.
If time is permitted, other topics may be added.
Some of the highlights of this year’s academy include:
• Lt. Alan Ferris, operation commander for the Covington Police Department an Emergency Response Team leader, will give a special ERT presentation, which will involve some hands-on opportunities for each member of the class on the operation of our local ERT.
• Iron Gate Police Chief Brad Hodge, along with other firearms instructors, will coordinate a firearms session in which each member of the class will have the opportunity to fire a service weapon under strict range guidelines. Each participant will have a personal firearms instructor for the duration of this session.
• Det. Sgt. Kenny Duncan, Retired Det. Sgt. Kenny Lane, Sgt. S.T. Fry, Lt. Richard Fridley of the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Department and Dwaine Paxton of the Clifton Forge Police Department will be giving a special presentation on crime scenes in which they will set up a mock crime scene and walk the participants thru the procedures of investigation.
• One of the sessions of this year’s academy will be held in Bath County. Previously, all classes have been held in Covington.
Sheriff Larry Norfleet will serve as the lead instructor and topics to be covered will be legal and civil issues that his office covers along with a tour of the Bath County Sheriff’s Office.
• Sgt. C.J. Smith and Communication’s Officer Barry Rose of the Covington Police Department will explain and demonstrate a home security check. After the lecture, Smith and Rose will take the class into the community and perform an actual home security check, noting key points on how to make your home or business more safe and secure.
Another class will be held at the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office.
Topics to be covered will include civil process and criminal investigation.
Alleghany County Sheriff Kevin Hall, Lt. Col. Matt Bowser and Jail Administrator Major Kevin Nicely will serve as lead instructors.
There will also be a tour of the Alleghany County Regional Jail.
As in past classes, Commonwealth’s Attorney Ed Stein and members of his office will participate and lecture on legal topics that pertain to law enforcement officers.
Anita Simmons, a graduate of both the basic academy and the advanced academy, will serve as the photographer and reporter for this academy.
The instruction will be comprehensive, covering different areas from all five local law enforcement agencies and our judicial system each week.
Sgt. C.J. Smith, Officer Heather Lane, Officer Juan Roldan and Communication’s Officer Barry Rose of the Covington Police Department will serve as the lead instructor for this year’s academy.
The maximum number of participants will not exceed 18, so anyone interested is asked to sign up as soon as possible to ensure a spot in the class.
The classes will be held on Thursday’s from 6-9 p.m.
Most of the sessions will be held at the Covington Police Department on Locust Street in Covington.
Participants may ride one time with a police officer and/or observe in the E-911 center on any day of the week. This will include the sheriff’s office, Covington Police Department and/or the Clifton Forge Police Department and the town of Iron Gate.
Completed ride-along forms must be submitted to Dawson by the third week of the academy.
Candidates must be at least 18 years old and have no criminal record. No one will be rejected due to his or her sex, ethnic origin, employment, socio-economic status or disability.
“Graduates of this course will not be police officers,” Dawson added, “but will be better-informed citizens. The graduates will be in a position to relate their experiences to friends and co-workers. Graduates may also at times serve as a liaison between citizens and local law enforcement agencies.”
There is no cost to attend the Citizens Police Academy, other than your time.
“We think that everyone will find it to be a worthwhile investment,” Dawson said. “The officers of the Covington Police Department look forward to meeting all of the participants at the Citizens Police Academy.”
Interested candidates can contact the Covington Police Department on the non-emergency line at 965-6333 and request an application or come by the police department and pick up an application.
Applications are also available on the department’s website at www.police.covington.va.us. Applications can be returned by e-mail to rdawson@covington.va.us.