Have you ever thought that you would like to learn more about law enforcement and how the Police Department really works? Or have you been curious about how certain aspects of law enforcement are handled and why? Perhaps you have just wondered what it’s like to be a police officer. If you answered yes, then you can get a live, up close and accurate view of police work by attending the Fitchburg Police Department’s Citizens Academy. The 2014 Citizens Academy allows our Fitchburg residents and business merchants to venture inside the Fitchburg Police Department and experience the day to day operations. Citizens will have direct contact with the officers who are devoted to upholding the integrity and laws within the city. The academy is a ten week program designed to provide firsthand information and teach the various aspects of policing. The Citizens Academy is taught by various members of the police department in their own area of expertise. The academy covers a wide range of law enforcement topics including gang and drug trends, traffic stops, crime scene investigations, building searches, K-9 demonstrations, emergency vehicle operations and defensive/arrest tactics. The topics are designed to create a hands-on learning experience incorporated with a fun and casual atmosphere. Participants will also be taught how to properly handle handguns and will have the opportunity to shoot department firearms, if they so choose. Finally, class members will have the opportunity to observe police patrol work through a ride-along experience with an officer during an actual patrol shift.
The Citizen’s Academy will be on Thursday evenings from 6pm - 9pm. Classes will run from September 3th thru November 6th, with the exception of October 8th. This class will be held on Saturday morning October 10th. On November 5th there will be a graduation ceremony and banquet where participants receive a certificate of completion.
The Citizen’s Academy is not a “training” class, but an exciting “informational” class.
Interested? Applications will be available and accepted from May 13th to June 12th. Applications can be downloaded from the police department website, picked up at the police department, or by contacting Sgt. Don Bomkamp. His contact information is listed below. Applicants will be notified the week of July 6th if selected to participate in the academy. A background check will be conducted on all applicants. A criminal history or a record of adverse police contacts may preclude acceptance into the academy.
The academy is free of charge and will be held at the Fitchburg Police Department.
For more information please contact Sergeant Don Bomkamp @ (608) 270-4363 or email don.bomkamp@fitchburgwi.gov.