Creating connections and providing insight were the main objectives for the inaugural Noblesville Police Dept. Citizen Police Academy.
“The Noblesville Police Dept. has tried to establish a list of topics to present that would be interesting and educational for the students participating in the academy,” Lt. Bruce Barnes said, adding the purpose of the academy is to familiarize citizens with the operations of the police department.
This includes classes on patrol procedures, criminal law, narcotics, search and seizure, tactical operations, investigations, juvenile law, firearms demonstration, emergency vehicle operations, use of force issues and police canine demonstration.
“Participants also have the option to ride with a patrol officer and witness the street-activity our officers encounter on a day-to-day basis,” said Barnes, program coordinator. “The objective of the Citizen Police Academy is not to create quasi-cops, but to produce informed citizens.”
Barnes said the academy is intended to open lines of communication between the community and police department.
“By allowing citizens a firsthand look at the police department and how its operations are handled, citizens take away a better understanding of the police role in the community,” he said. “Additionally, citizens bring a wealth of knowledge about their community and particularly, the problems in their neighborhood. In this way, police are able to learn and better understand the concerns of the citizens.”
“By building fairly in-depth relationships they’re more and more involved in what we do and can help us in their neighborhood,” Police Chief Kevin Jowitt said.
The program is a 12-week course and meets from 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday.
“It’s something we have always wanted to do and I’m very grateful we finally had the opportunity to put the program together,” Jowitt said, adding the inaugural class provided the department with overwhelmingly positive reviews. “This program accomplishes multiple goals, gives them a chance to know us and us a chance to know them.”
The department is currently accepting applications for its next session which will likely commence in mid-January. Applications can be found online under the police department tab at www.cityofnoblesville.org or at the police department, 135 S. Ninth St. Applicants can also contact Barnes for any additional questions that they may have at 776-6340.
