Police academy gets rave reviews
With McMinnville?s first Citizens Police Academy well on its way to being complete, interest in the classes is on the uphill climb.
The 10-week program is scheduled for twice a year. Despite the second session not beginning until later in the year, and applicants not yet being accepted, people interested in joining are already calling.
?I?ve received phone calls regarding the next class,? said McMinnville Police Chief Charlie Sewell. ?Interest is definitely growing. The program is a wonderful success.?
Sewell attributes the interest to the articles in the Southern Standard.
?I?ve had people make comments about the articles about the Citizens Police Academy,? said Sewell. ?One of the missions of the McMinnville Police Department is to provide the highest level of service possible to the community we serve. I believe the Southern Standard is helping us to achieve our goal by doing such an excellent job.?
Currently the first program has only two more classes to go before it is complete. Those classes involve domestic violence issues, and firearm safety and training.
As the weeks have passed, class members have become more comfortable participating in the program and being around law enforcement officials. That comfortable relationship is one result the program was meant to build.
?I feel they will be more comfortable in contacting law enforcement in the future,? said Sewell. ?When they see a law enforcement officer, they will have a better understanding regarding what he is doing and why.?
The interest and enjoyment in the class also extends to the officers. Because of this, Sewell has been approached by more department personnel who have showed an interest in the class.
With the program becoming such a success, Sewell has been asked about it while being interviewed by Bill Zechman from WCPI public radio and twice while on local public access station UCTV Channel 9.
After graduation, which is scheduled for May, the current class members will be asked if they want to join an alumni association.