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The
Citizens Police Academy allows you to venture inside the Winter
Park Police Department and experience the day to day operation.
Citizens will have direct contact with the officers who are devoted
to upholding the integrity and laws within the city.
The Academy gives you a look behind
the badge so to speak at how real law enforcement works especially
in Winter Park vs. T.V. and the movies. It consists of 12 weeks
of learning combined with a fun and casual atmosphere. Classes run
from 6:30pm to 9:30pm each consecutive Tuesday. There is no physical
fitness requirement to attend.
All of the classes are held at
the police department and each week a different topic presented
by officers that work that assignment (i.e. traffic, K9, gangs,
patrol, detectives, swat, etc). The classes build upon each other
with information that ties everything together each week. You also
learn about the use of force from handcuffing to chemical spray
to batons and shooting. You are allowed to do a shoot-don’t
shoot scenario to see what deadly force decisions are like and also
be taught how to properly handle handguns and will actually have
the opportunity to shoot department firearms if they so choose.
We
strive for a lot of hands on activities and class interaction. We
have never had any injuries or mishaps - we are very safety oriented.
Part of this program will also include a ride-along with one of
the department’s sworn police officers during an actual patrol
shift. It is the next best thing to being an actual sworn officer.
After completing the academy you
will come away with a new understanding of the officers who protect
you. The Academy is open to all residents of the city of Winter
Park, citizens who work in the city, and city employees.
Currently the Citizen's Police
Academy program has been placed on hold. We hope to be able to continue
with this informative program in the future. Please check back at
a later date.
Please contact Sgt. Pam Marcum at
407-599-3365 for further information about the Academy. You may
also email her at pmarcum@cityofwinterpark.org.
You must be at least 21 years
of age and pass a criminal history check. The Police Department
maintains the right to refuse acceptance to anyone.
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