Fifth Citizens Police Academy to begin March 30

From press release

The Rockford Police Department will host the Fifth Citizens Police Academy. All classes will be held at the Public Safety Building, 420 W. State St., with the exception of the second class, which will be held at the 9-1-1 center. The session runs for an eight-week period, every Wednesday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. The first session will begin at 2 p.m., March 30.

Attendees will graduate from the academy with a better understanding of their role in partnering with the Rockford Police Department to reduce crime, increase the solve rate and improve the quality of life for everyone in Rockford.

The Rockford Police Department believes that education can be very effective in helping citizens gain understanding and support from the community. The Citizens Police Academy offers insight into how police officers perform their duties and how the department serves the community.

The mission of the Citizens Police Academy is to build cooperative relationships between citizens and the police through training and education. The police academy will produce a network of informed citizens who can return to their neighborhoods to organize, encourage and mobilize others, to partner with police in reducing crime in Rockford.

Who may attend the Citizen Police Academy

Any citizen who resides or works in the City of Rockford is encouraged to attend. Citizens must be 18 years of age or older. Applications for the Citizens Police Academy can be obtained at the Rockford Police Department front desk. The applications are also available on the City of Rockford website (rockfordil.gov, public safety tab, police department tab).

Applications can be turned in at the Rockford Police Department by sending them to: Rockford Police Department, Sgt. Patrick Hoey, 420 W. State St., Rockford, IL 61101.

For more information, contact Sgt. Patrick Hoey at (815) 987-5041.

From the March 23-29, 2011, issue