Cottonwood Police Department announces the Citizen Police Academy for 2009.

The Cottonwood Police Department is now accepting applications for the Spring 2009 Citizen Police Academy. The Citizens Academy is a 10-week program designed to help Cottonwood residents increase their understanding of how the Police Department works within the community. The participants in the Citizens Academy have the opportunity to meet and learn about the men and women who are protecting their community. They are also given insight into the daily decisions the officers must make and the reasons behind those decisions.

The academy includes courses on patrol operations, K-9, firearms, proactive policing, drugs, use of force, and other topics. The classes are taught by CPD personnel. There will also be tours of the Cottonwood Police Department, the opportunity to ride with an officer on patrol.

Citizens eligible to apply for the Academy must be 18 or older, and live and/or work in Cottonwood. Participation in the Academy includes a commitment to attend all the training sessions. The Citizen Police Academy is scheduled to start on March 12th, 2009. The classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Cottonwood Public Safety Building, 199 S 6th Street, in Cottonwood. There will be ten weeks of instruction with a culmination dinner on May 21st, the eleventh week. There is no cost to participate in the Citizens Academy.

Applications can be obtained in the front lobby of the Cottonwood Police Department between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mon-Fri. online, or via email by contacting Sergeant Gary Eisenga at geisenga@ci.cottonwood.az.us. The class is filled on a first come first served basis.

For more information call Sergeant Gary Eisenga at 928-634-4246 ext.133.