By Nancy Edwards
Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of a police officer is like? Does the idea of going behind the scenes to learn what they do sound appealing?
Beginning Sept. 9, the FPD is offering a 12-week class for those 16 and over who work or reside in Fishers. The 25th Citizens of Police Academy class offers a fun combination of hands-on activities and classroom learning, and is offered free of charge.
Led by Fishers police officers, the class will give community members the chance to ask questions about law enforcement and help citizens understand what officers do in situations ranging from traffic stops to criminal investigations.
“The Citizen’s Academy is designed to help the community and help them understand why we do things the way we do,” said FPD Officer James Alvis, 41. “We try practical applications as much as possible.”
Other training includes crime prevention and neighborhood watches, bicycle patrol, criminal law, police canine, weapons familiarization, self-defense, evidence collection, and narcotics. There will also be interactive activities for investigating a crime.
After participants successfully complete the class, they are eligible for membership in the Fishers Citizens Academy Alumni Association. This privilege allows them to volunteer with the FPD, attend and participate in further training in the areas of criminal investigations, mock trials, and Dive and SWAT Teams. In addition, volunteers organize and staff fundraisers for scholarships and may work alongside the K-9 unit.
Alvis explained that another important advantage of attending the Citizen’s Academy is the fact that citizens can get to know the police department on a more personal level and, as a result, feel more comfortable being around the officers. He said he enjoys joking around in this laid-back environment. A typical class size is held to 15 to 20 people.
“Otherwise you lose that connection,” Alvis said. “I like remembering everyone’s name.”
One of the former participants in Alvis’s class is Rita Fugit, 72, who coincidentally taught an English class when Alvis was attending Hamilton Southeastern Schools.
“Learning about what police officers do and what is demanded from them is an eye opener,” she said. “It raises a respect you have for them.”
Fugit said she especially enjoyed learning the process behind forensics in investigations and accompanying Alvis during one of the evenings he was working.
“You only see one side of what police officers do on TV and in movies,” she said. “The officers told us ‘this is not CSI, this is about tracking (investigations) patiently. We do not have all the scientific equipment to solve a case in an hour.’”
Classes meet on Monday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. at the FPD, 4 Municipal Dr. Those who are interested in attending may apply online at www.fishers.in.us/police or apply in person at the Fishers Police Department. Applications will be accepted until Sept. 6. Anyone with questions may contact Officer Rob Thompson at [email protected] or 317.595.3300.