Medford Township Police Department’s Chief Richard J. Meder and Medford Township announced that the inaugural Citizen Police Academy Class is coming this fall.
According to the town, the academy is an opportunity for residents to get a behind-the-scenes look at various functions within the police department.
Interested residents and business owners at least 18 years old are required to complete an application. Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation and will be given temporary access to sensitive areas of the department. Applications are due Aug. 1 and need to be turned into the Medford Township Police Department. The class size will be limited to 20 participants to allow for quality interaction throughout the program.
According to the department, the Citizen Police Academy allows citizens to become educated as to the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement. During classroom presentations, lectures and hands-on activities, residents will gain insight into daily operations to further improve the quality of life for residents and business owners.
The program is designed to build a bond of trust, respect and transparency between the police department and the community it serves.
Officers and instructors will lecture and demonstrate various topics handled on a daily basis including, but not limited to: overview/history of the department, a tour of the department building, patrol tactics, traffic unit, Motor Vehicle stops/DWI, criminal and special investigations, K-9 unit, a tour of 911, Firearms Training Systems, firearms and internal affairs.
Program dates will run on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Courses will be held on Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 9, Oct. 16, Oct. 23, Oct. 30 and Nov. 7 at 91 Union St.
For more information and to download an application, visit www.medford-police.org/citizen-police-academy.
