Citizen Police Academy still has openings

The deadline for the first Citizens Police Academy in McMinnville has been extended. The deadline is now Feb. 7 which will give everyone a little more time to get that last-minute application into the department.

The academy began as a way to offer citizens a hands-on experience in law enforcement while bridging the gap between officers and area residents. While achieving that agenda, the class will also be enjoyable, according to police officials.

?It will be a great opportunity to see how the police department functions in daily operations,? said Special Services Division Commander Capt. Mike Lane. ?It will also allow the police to build a better relationship with the community. I think it?s going to be fun.?

While accepting applications for the last few weeks, the class time and curriculum have been finalized. The class is set to begin Feb. 22 and continue every Thursday until April 26. The two-hour sessions will begin at 6 p.m.

The current curriculum includes:

? Feb. 22 ? McMinnville Police Chief Charlie Sewell and Capt. Mike Lane will begin the 10-week program with instructions, administrative functions, a tour of McMinnville Police Department and a tour of the 911 Communication Center.

? March 1 ? Sgt. Mark Mara will be the instructor for accident investigation, overview of the Tennessee Uniform Crash Report, and a mock traffic crash investigation.

? March 8 ? Ptl. Tim Jones and Det. Bill Davis will be the instructors for K-9 operations and narcotics investigation.

? March 15 ? Capt. Derwin Adcock will be the instructor for criminal investigations, evidence collection and fingerprinting.

? March 22 ? Ptl. Bo Hutchins and Sgt. Mara will be the instructors for traffic laws, radar operation and defensive tactics.

? March 29 ? McMinnville Fire Department Capt. Phil Mitchell will be the instructor for fire safety and first aid.

? April 5 ? Major Bryan Denton and Capt. Lane will be the instructors for uniform division night and prisoner booking procedures.

? April 12 ? Ride along week. Class participants will be allowed to ride along with patrolmen.

? April 19 ? Ptl. Lisa Norris and Det. Davis will be the instructors for domestic violence law overview and police response to domestic violence complaints.

? April 26 ? Det. Stuart Whitman and Ptl. Jones will be the instructors for range and firearms safety/firearms practical.

Once the final applications have been received, 24 residents will be chosen to attend the class. If there are more than 24 eligible applicants, those not chosen for the class are encouraged to apply for the next class.

For more information, contact Capt. Lane at 473-3808. An application can be picked up at McMinnville Police Department.