Seventeen residents of Beavercreek have a new understanding of the law and policing after graduating from the city’s Citizen Police Academy. The academy is designed to educate residents in law enforcement practices including tactics, crime prevention, weapons and the law.


While the 12 week program doesn’t officially certify graduates as officers, it is an accomplishment that gives them a broad undestanding of how the law and policing works on a city level.


Some of the recognized topics covered during the 30 hour course included community policing and crime prevention, dispatch and 911, probable cause, search and seizure, patrolling, responding to crashes, interviewing and interrogation and crime scene investigations.


In addition the course also explored various aspects of the law including DUI, domestic violence, concealed carry of firearms, liquor laws, juvenile, identity theft and fraud and drug investigations


Course demonstrations included traffic stops, radar and laser use in traffic enforcement, fingerprinting and polygraphing. Firearm safety included firing weapons at the police range using weapons similar to what officers use on duty. During the final week of class members participated in a mock trial with an actual judge, prosecuting attorney and defense attorney.


Classes began August 31, 2006 and met three hours every Thursday evening for eleven weeks. Each graduate received a certificate of completion from Chief John Turner and Academy Commander, Captain Dennis Evers on November 16, 2006 in a ceremony at City Hall before family and friends.


Dates for the next Citizens Police Academy have yet to be announced on the city’s website, but the Beavercreek Police Department is currently acception applications. To apply you must be a resident of the city. For more information contact Sergeant Doyle Wright 427-5529 ext. 638 or online at the CPA page in the police section of the city’s website, Beavercreek Citizens Police Academy.